Early Bronze Age British Funerary Vessels: similarities and differences in manufacturing techniques and the socio-cultural implications.
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Institute of Archaeology
Abstract
Undertaking of research into the manufacture of ceramic funerary vessels of the Early Bronze Age (EBA) in Britain (c.2400-1500 BC). Funerary vessels represent one of the most common and most important sources of information about ritual and social practices and identities during this period. The vessels will be studied in far greater depth than previously attempted by supplementing macroscopic examination with the methods or archaeological science and experimental archaeology. The project will involve working directly with the rich archaeological material in the collections of the British Museum.
Past ceramic studies have been mainly concerned with documenting and studying the finished form of vessels rather than the production process from the perspective of the potter (i.e. the 'chaine operatoire'). These past studies also perceived clear distinctions between 'traditions' and 'types' that recent research has began to problematize. Two EBA vessels that look the same may be made from very different clay and temper 'recipes', and may use different manufacturing techniques. Conversely , vessels of different types may share important features such as fabric and decoration in common.
This PhD project will focus on the social and cultural implications of these similarities and differences that may be significant for interpreting identity and transformation through time, and understanding the ends and beginnings of traditions, rituals and beliefs.
Key research questions will include, how do archaeologists understand the manufacturing process of EBA funerary vessels? Can new, more sophisticated classificatory frameworks based on construction evidence and context be devised? How were similarities and differences in the manufacture and treatment of EBA funerary vessels used to construct and project identities? What can EBA vessels reveal about the transmission of ceramic production techniques? How do the meanings of and use of EBA funerary vessels compare with the use of funerary vessels in the Middle Bronze Age (MBA)?
The study will be based on a representative sample of the 450 complete (or restored) EBA vessels from funerary contexts in the British Museum collection (composed primarily of Beakers (c. 120 vessels), Food Vessels (c. 110), Collared Urns (c. 100) and accessory cups (c. 90), using macroscopic techniques in order to characterise fabric, and identify evidence of construction and decoration techniques. This will be enhanced further by analysis of a smaller targeted sample using scientific techniques.
Past ceramic studies have been mainly concerned with documenting and studying the finished form of vessels rather than the production process from the perspective of the potter (i.e. the 'chaine operatoire'). These past studies also perceived clear distinctions between 'traditions' and 'types' that recent research has began to problematize. Two EBA vessels that look the same may be made from very different clay and temper 'recipes', and may use different manufacturing techniques. Conversely , vessels of different types may share important features such as fabric and decoration in common.
This PhD project will focus on the social and cultural implications of these similarities and differences that may be significant for interpreting identity and transformation through time, and understanding the ends and beginnings of traditions, rituals and beliefs.
Key research questions will include, how do archaeologists understand the manufacturing process of EBA funerary vessels? Can new, more sophisticated classificatory frameworks based on construction evidence and context be devised? How were similarities and differences in the manufacture and treatment of EBA funerary vessels used to construct and project identities? What can EBA vessels reveal about the transmission of ceramic production techniques? How do the meanings of and use of EBA funerary vessels compare with the use of funerary vessels in the Middle Bronze Age (MBA)?
The study will be based on a representative sample of the 450 complete (or restored) EBA vessels from funerary contexts in the British Museum collection (composed primarily of Beakers (c. 120 vessels), Food Vessels (c. 110), Collared Urns (c. 100) and accessory cups (c. 90), using macroscopic techniques in order to characterise fabric, and identify evidence of construction and decoration techniques. This will be enhanced further by analysis of a smaller targeted sample using scientific techniques.
| Title | Replica Vessels |
| Description | Three vessels that are part of the research project (Beaker, Collared Urn, Food Vessel) were commissioned to be produced as replicas, made using the same methods of coil construction as was used in their original manufacture in the EBA. An accompanying petrographic thin-section has been made for each of the replica pots, as well as, videos of each of the vessels while it was being produced to allow for an understanding of the forming methods and how they combine to produce the complete finished vessel/s. |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Impact | No notable impacts as yet. In the future these replica vessels will become a valuable study resource for other researchers working on British EBA pottery production. The replicas will also be used during future BM events such as, the public Zoom in event that is held each year at the BM. The accompanying petrographic slides and videos of the vessels construction will allow for an appreciation of prehistoric pottery as a process rather than purely as finished objects. |
| Title | Pottery production Recording Form |
| Description | I designed a highly detailed recording sheet for the collection of ceramic production data. This form was created because there were no suitable data collection forms available that were applicable to my research project. The pottery production recording form developed for this project is novel due to the depth of detail that is recorded relating to ceramic forming techniques such as, number coils used in construction, size of the coils, method of base construction, method of rim construction, surface treatment/s, and firing conditions. The depth of contextual data collected alongside the ceramic data is another novel aspect of the recording form. Contextual data collected on the form includes, place of deposition, site type, type of deposit, burial type, gender, age, burial orientation, associated finds, and vessel placement. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The pottery production recording form made it possible to collect all of the data required for each vessel in one place rather than on separate recording sheets. It meant that the data collection stage of the project operated much more efficiently than would have been possible otherwise. |
| Title | British Early Bronze Age Ceramics Research Database (Excel) |
| Description | A huge amount of data regarding the manufacturing of British Early Bronze Age Pottery has been collected and collated into a detailed spreadsheet database. This collection of data will be of use to future researchers and for the curator/s of the British and European prehistoric pottery collection at the British Museum (BM). The data collected includes measurements of different aspects of each pots shape, details of the fabric composition of each vessel, forming methods for each pots base, body, and rim, including the number and size of the coils of clay that were used during manufacture, and contextual information for each of the vessels included in the research project. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | There have not been any notable impacts resulting from the development of this collection of research data as yet. Upon completion of the PhD the entire collection of data will be deposited with the BM to be kept as a research aid for future researchers, and to aid BM staff/curators in the storage and upkeep of the collection. |
| Title | Collection of Petrographic Samples (microscope slides) |
| Description | A collection of 80 thin-sectioned petrographic samples has been created. The samples represent 80 different vessels from the British Museum's (BM) Early Bronze Age (EBA) pottery collection - including vessels of each of the different established ceramic types that were in existence during the British EBA, Beakers, Food Vessels, Collared Urns, and Miniature Vessels. The petrographic sample collection has been deposited with the BM Science department for curation. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Petrographic samples from the North East of Britain for the EBA are particularly scarce. Only one petrographic study on the regions EBA pottery has ever been published (Peter Wardle, Earlier prehistoric pottery production and ceramic petrology in Britain, BAR Series 225, 1992). Compared to other regions of the Britain such as Southern England, Wales, and the Midlands; North East Britain is severely under-represented in terms of petrographic samples available for study/research. This collection of samples that are to be kept at the BM will be of great use to future researchers and will triple the current number of thin-sections that are available for research for the EBA of north east Britain. |
| Description | British Museum Zoom in event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The British Museum (BM) Zoom in event is designed to introduce museum visitors to the scientific research that is being conducted by BM scientists in a variety of different study areas. The event allows researchers the opportunity to discuss their research with the general public and to demonstrate the methods used in prehistoric pottery manufacture, and the evidence that the different production methods leave on pottery in terms of technological traces. The Zoom in event provides a platform to demonstrate to the general public how I use petrography to identify rock and clay sources that were used in the manufacture of different pottery types, and how this can subsequently be used to identify socio-cultural networks temporally and spatially. The BM Zoom in event is an excellent way to engage with the general public to create awareness and inform people of the current academic research that is being conducted at the BM - Increasing public interest and understanding of the type of research being carried out at the BM, as well as the reasons why it is being conducted, the results that can be obtained, and how they inform on our current understanding of society and how it operated in the past. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar/event_detail.aspx?eventId=4259 |