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Pots and communities of practice in Late Neolithic Malta: A study of decoration and motor skills

2018; Elsevier BV; Volume: 20; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.06.035

2352-4103

Isabelle Vella Gregory,

Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology

The study of the motor actions and identification of the tools used in creating surface decoration in Late Neolithic Malta shows interactions between different communities of potters and other groups. Continuing the use of attribute analyses from the megalithic site of Kordin III, this paper identifies new ranges of motor actions from the megalithic complexes at Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, highlighting differences between geographically discrete communities. The results offer a statistically nuanced sample of ceramics, identify distinct assemblages beyond traditional typologies and investigates décor in its social context. A detailed breakdown of the results is given for each phase at each site. Comparisons are then drawn between the sites of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra and Kordin III, highlighting a number of divergences and convergences. This reveals previously unknown aspects of community membership, particularly in the realm of technological choices.