RECONSTRUCTING THE FORMING PRO CESS SEQUENCE OF

STORAGE JA R S FROM PALESTINE

l he Late Bronze Age storage jars examined in this study were selected on the basis of similarity in shape. No measurements were taken; jars of about the same size and form were studied (Fig. 117).

Reconstructing the process sequence began using one jar that was relatively complete. Examination in- dicated that the sequence included primary forming and one or more stages of drying, and might include secondary forming, which would be subsequent to primary forming. Because ali jars had handles, the se­ quence must also include their application; this had to follow primary forming (because handles cannot be applied until a form exists). Slip had been applied and since it covered the handles as well as the body, its application must have come after the handles were at- tached. Brushwork overlay the slip, so it was sub­ sequent to slipping. The brushwork was very crisp and sharp in outline, indicating it was done when the vessel was dry.

A five-stage sequence could be inferred from these initial observations: (1) primary forming, (2) ap-

Fig. 117. Typical Late Bronze Age "Canaanite" storage jar from Palestine.

plying handles, (3) applying slip. (4) drying, and (5) applying brushwork decoration.

Evidence was then sought for additional stages and for elaborating those already observed. The inte­ rior of the vessel showed rhythmic grooves running from near the base to the rim, indicating that primary forming was by throwing on the potter’s wheel. l he absence of evidence that the rim or neck had been formed separately implied the vessel was thrown in one piece. Their size (between 40 and 60 cm high) made it unlikely they were thrown from the hunip. Each was most likely thrown from one lump of clay placed on the wheelhead, although no evidence re- mained to prove this interpretation.

The next step was to look for evidence of removal from the wheel. None existed on the exterior. A slight bulge on the interior had no corresponding depression on the outer wall. This suggested slight deformation of the vessel while lifting it when it was in a plastic condi tion. It also suggested material had been removed from the exterior and the walls had originally been thicker. The question of how the vessel was removed was de- ferred.

Examination of the base showed traces of grit drag-lines on the exterior. Also, wall thickness was slightly eccentric. The interior showed no modification from its initial forming. These attributes, along with

the slight bulge on the lower inner wall, suggested the vessel had been turned. This would involve drying from the plastic condition to leather hard before plac­ ing it upside down on the wheelhead. A chuck or other device would have been needed for support during turning, but no evidence of this could be found. The uneven thickness of the wall implied the vessel was replaced slightly off-center from the original throwing axis. The fact that grit drag-marks continued beneath the handles indicated that turning was completed be­ fore they were applied.

The bases of other vessels in the sample were examined for evidence of removal. The attributes suggested several methods were employed for com- pleting the base. Some vessels had been turned and ali these had a wall thickness at the base approximately the same as the body. Vessels showing no evidence of turning had base thicknesses 2 or 3 times greater than the walls. The interiors of some bases showed com- pression ridges, indicating pressure from outside. The base was reduced sufficiently by squeezing that the vessel would have fallen from the wheelhead had this been done at an early stage of throwing. The ridges were therefore judged to correlate with the end of throwing. The conclusion was that these vessels were removed from the wheel by squeezing and narrowing the base sufficiently that they could be lifted free. The “ cutting” was done with the hands rather than a tool. This method of removal would have left a rough, pointed base. In order to create a uniform and strong base, the potters allowed the vessels to dry to leather hard so they could be supported upside down on the wheelhead.

The cross section of a base showed discontinuous preferred orientation of voids and a slight hollow sec­ tion, indicating that clay had been added. Clay pro- truding into the interior of some bases implied a hole had been pushed through from the outside. This evi­ dence led to the following reconstruction: These par­ ticular vessels were replaced upside down on the wheelhead after drying to leather hard. They would have been supported by a chuck, and the absence of marks indicated the shoulder was relatively firm when this was done. The base, being thicker, would still be relatively soft. A hole could therefore be poked through and, with the wheel revolving, the base could be thinned and refined from the irregular shape produced by removal with the hands. A coil of clay was then placed on the exterior and, with the wheel still revolving, thrown inwards to reclose the hole. Evidence of this coil consisted of eccentricity between

1 36 P O T T E R Y T E C H N O L O G Y

Fig. 118. Forming process sequences reconstructed for Late Bronze Age storage jars. The differences between the 24 variations are diagramed at the top (A). The details distinguishing the categories above the dotted line on A are specified at the bqttom (B).

the base and upper walls and a join line where it was blended into the original form. In some cases, the ves­ sel had been removed from the wheel and the inside of the newly formed base was smoothed with the fingers. In other cases, there had been no finishing of the inte­ rior.

Putting ali this together, it became clear that two methods had been used for completing the bases: turn­ ing and adding clay. The method of finishing was obvi- ously related to the method of removal from the wheel.

The forming process sequence classification (Fig. 118) was obtained after complete study of ali the stor­ age jars. Once this classification was available, a series of questions could be raised. W hy were there two methods of completing the bases? W as the function of the two groups of jars different, one requiring thin

walls and the other a thick heavy base? Do the jars represent two different traditions? Is one technique earlier than the other, the later one having technologi­ cal or other advantages? Was one group of jars made locally and the other imported, perhaps filled with some commodity not obtainable in the area? Was there some mineralogical distinction between clays used for the two different base-finishing techniques?

These questions illustrate an important conse- quence of analyzing forming techniques. The analysis is not an end in itself, but raises questions that can be expressed as hypotheses for further investigations. These provide a deeper insight into past cultures than would be obtained by stopping when the technological analysis was complete.

Appendix

Two sets of guidelines are provided for recording the behavior of potters. They identify the significant kinds of information in the form of a checklist, which can be used for reference or as a basis for designing forms applicable to a specific group. Some of the categories are irrelevant to indigenous potters, who obtain their own raw materials and make vessels for their own use: they should be included, however, in studies of traditional potters, who may purchase some or all of their materials and who usually sell their prod­ ucts.

1. Pottery Technology Data Sheet and Checklist

SO U RC ES OF CLAY (expand on additional sheets as needed) General geological observations

Kind of deposit

Thickness of overburden/why rejected Method of digging

Depth of excavation/why no deeper Does potter recognize different grades?

Does he/she put them to different uses? If so, what? How is homogeneity achieved?

Samples taken and identifying numbers Who started using the deposit? When? Why? Who else uses the deposit? For what? Why does the potter prefer this deposit? Who owns the deposit?

Who performs each phase of the work

A sample of water used should be collected for salinity tests

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF GLAZES, SLIPS, AND PIGMENTS