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Identification of Wheel-fashioning Methods: Technological Analysis of 4th–3rdMillenniumBCOriental Ceramics

1998; Elsevier BV; Volume: 25; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1006/jasc.1997.0219

1095-9238

Valentine Roux, Marie‐Agnès Courty,

Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis

In Oriental Asia, during the 4th–3rdmillenniumBC, clay vessels were not wheel-thrown but wheel-shaped. This technique, which combines coiling and wheel-shaping, can be achieved by four methods. These methods are not constrained by technical factors. They may represent cultural behaviour and their identification is potentially an aid towards understanding the historical reasons for the adoption of the wheel. An experimental study was designed to seek and define diagnostic surface features and microfabrics. Comparisons of the results obtained on the experimental materials with a selection of archaeological material have revealed that a variety of wheel-fashioning methods were practised in the past. Contrary to previous conclusions, the choice of these methods evidenced on ancient ceramics did not respond to techno-economic factors such as mass production. The debate concerning the adoption of the wheel in Asia during the 4th–3rdmillenniumBCmust therefore be continued.