Technology and Use of Neolithic Pottery from North Macedonia
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Archaeology
Abstract
The Early Neolithic (EN) is a pivotal point in human history when mobile hunter-gather groups broadly transitioned to agriculturally based sedentary lifestyles, with aDNA and domesticate evidence indicating a relationship between, and movement of, Anatolian and European farming communities. A significant part of this was the widespread adoption and production of ceramic containers, which offer an important data source to examine development of new agricultural practices, such as dairying, the development of technical practices, and the creation of functional pottery classes related to different foodways such as cooking.
Based at the University of York, TECUS will be the first interdisciplinary project utilising archaeological, experimental and lab-based methods to holistically investigate the production and use of EN pottery (6200-5500BC) from North Macedonia. This is a key area that lies within southern and northern routes of Neolithisation, connecting pioneer zones in Western Anatolia, to the Mediterranean and central Europe. However unlike neighbouring regions, EN ceramics from North Macedonia have not been subject to detailed material analyses using an integrated programme of lab-based methods, and as such, there are many open questions about the distribution and spread of technological knowledge, the raw material resources used by Neolithic potters in different landscapes, the ways in which ceramics containers were used, and the development of characteristic pottery styles in relation to current ideas of cultural identity and geographical boundaries. The unique combination of methods used in TECUS that include thin section petrography, scanning electron microscopy, organic residue, mechanical properties testing and use wear analysis will produce high quality multi facetted data to investigate how ceramic production and consumption relates to the daily activities, identity, and the dispersal of agricultural communities. The data will be used to contextualise the place of North Macedonia within broader narratives about the transition to Neolithic ways of living, and the technical and functional development of different pottery types.
Based at the University of York, TECUS will be the first interdisciplinary project utilising archaeological, experimental and lab-based methods to holistically investigate the production and use of EN pottery (6200-5500BC) from North Macedonia. This is a key area that lies within southern and northern routes of Neolithisation, connecting pioneer zones in Western Anatolia, to the Mediterranean and central Europe. However unlike neighbouring regions, EN ceramics from North Macedonia have not been subject to detailed material analyses using an integrated programme of lab-based methods, and as such, there are many open questions about the distribution and spread of technological knowledge, the raw material resources used by Neolithic potters in different landscapes, the ways in which ceramics containers were used, and the development of characteristic pottery styles in relation to current ideas of cultural identity and geographical boundaries. The unique combination of methods used in TECUS that include thin section petrography, scanning electron microscopy, organic residue, mechanical properties testing and use wear analysis will produce high quality multi facetted data to investigate how ceramic production and consumption relates to the daily activities, identity, and the dispersal of agricultural communities. The data will be used to contextualise the place of North Macedonia within broader narratives about the transition to Neolithic ways of living, and the technical and functional development of different pottery types.
| Description | Collaboration with Archaeological Museum of the Republic of North Macedonia |
| Organisation | Archaeological Museum of the Republic of North Macedonia |
| Country | Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The project has initiated a new collaboration between the Department of Archaeology, University of York and the Archaeological Museum of the Republic of North Macedonia, this is the national archaeological museum for the country. C. Burke is analysing ceramic collections held by the museum and including them in the research through sharing expertise, joint conference papers, and bringing international attention to the museum and it's collections on social media and with colleagues in their network. The collaboration has also helped to raise the museums profile within North Macedonia through demonstrating international partnerships and research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The museum has facilitated access to multiple assemblages within their collection and introduced C. Burke to other colleagues within North Macedonia helping to expand their network. Colleagues at the museum have managed the permission and permit administration ensuring export and analysis of selected material. |
| Impact | Jointly authored conference papers at: Association of European Archaeologists 30th Annual Meeting in Rome 'Style vs. Technique: Early Neolithic Pottery from Amzabegovo (Barutnica), North Macedonia' and The 100 year anniversary celebration of the Archaeological Museum in Skopje 'Choices and Techniques of Pottery Making Amongst Neolithic Farming Communities in Macedonia' |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Albania Lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | 20 people attended a talk and discussion about the use of lab based methods to investigate Neolithic pottery. This audience were international (USA, Albania, Germany, Australia), and included many students who do not get access to teaching about such specialized techniques in their home country or institution. As a result of this talk 2 students have applied for PhD study on pottery with the inclusion of lab based analyses and 1 masters student has developed a project that includes analysis. 1 professional team member has also expressed an interest to make a collaborative project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |