Beyond clay: tracing Mekelle’s pottery tradition through ethnoarchaeological and sociocultural lenses
The making of ceramics involves a multi-level process of shaping vessels and other objects following a chaîne opératoire. The presented ethnoarchaeological study comprehensively documents clay processing and pottery production methods of artisans in Mekelle, engaging with the living material culture...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | deu |
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University of Warsaw Press
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://pam-journal.pl/gicid/01.3001.0054.9213 |
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| Summary: | The making of ceramics involves a multi-level process of shaping vessels and other objects following a chaîne opératoire. The presented ethnoarchaeological study comprehensively documents clay processing and pottery production methods of artisans in Mekelle, engaging with the living material cultures of the craft to delve into the past. Through interviews, observations, and surveys of modern-day potteries, this pioneering investigation reveals both similarities and unique aspects of Mekelle’s pottery practices compared to other regions. Notably, a distinctive tradition of using different clay types for a single pottery type was observed. With urban expansion threatening this traditional craft, it has become crucial to document ethnographic data before its potential extinction. In this paper, social dynamics within Mekelle’s pottery making community, including hierarchical rankings and gender-based division of labor, are explored, showing that women exclusively handle the making, transportation, and marketing of pottery, while men engage in smithing and weaving. These findings have significant archaeological implications and offer insights into behavioral patterns within the community. The study emphasizes the crucial role of ethnoarchaeology in preserving traditional crafts and understanding cultural heritage. |
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| ISSN: | 1234-5415 2083-537X |