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Variability in pottery firing technology: choice or technical development?

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Published/Copyright: November 18, 2017
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Chinese Archaeology
From the journal Chinese Archaeology Volume 17 Issue 1

Abstract

It was generally considered that it is a technological advancement from bonfire firing to kiln firing. In fact, both of the firing methods possess certain advantages as well as disadvantages. To a specific community, firing technique is a technological choice rather than an outcome of technological development. The technological choices should correspond to the local environments, social contexts, and cultural traditions. Bonfire firing evidences are found in northern and southern China. However, issues of the specific bonfire firing technology as well as the relationship between bonfire firing and kiln firing in both regions need further studies.

Keywords: Bonfire firing (technique); firing (ceramics); kiln firing; pottery craft; selections and developments

Postscript

The original paper published in Kaogu 考古 (Archaeology) 2016.3:74–85 with three illustrations and one table is authored by Meng Guo 郭梦. This abridged version is prepared by the author and translated into English by Anke Hein 安可.

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Published Online: 2017-11-18
Published in Print: 2017-12-20

© 2017 Walter de Gruyter, Inc. ⋅ Boston ⋅ Berlin

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https://doi.org/10.1515/char-2017-0015
Keywords for this article
Bonfire firing (technique); firing (ceramics); kiln firing; pottery craft; selections and developments

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. New archaeological discoveries
  3. Neolithic cultural remains in the coastal area of southeastern Hainan Province
  4. New archaeological discoveries
  5. The Remains of Liangzhu Culture at Jiangzhuang Site in Xinghua and Dongtai Cities, Jiangsu
  6. New archaeological discoveries
  7. The 2014-2015 excavations of the Zhouyuan Site in Baoji, Shaanxi
  8. New archaeological discoveries
  9. Marquis of Haihun’s tomb of the Western Han Dynasty in Nanchang, Jiangxi
  10. New archaeological discoveries
  11. The excavation of the Taiji Hall complex in Han-Wei Luoyang City
  12. Spotlight
  13. The tusi cemetery of the Yang Family at Xinpu New District, Zunyi City, Guizhou
  14. Spotlight
  15. The archaeological survey and excavation of walls and passes of the Hailong Tun site in Zunyi City, Guizhou
  16. Reports
  17. The excavation of the Niupodong Site in Pingba District, Gui’an New Area, Guizhou in 2012–2013
  18. Reports
  19. The excavation of walls and roads at the Erlitou Site in Yanshi City, Henan in 2012–2013
  20. Reports
  21. The bone workshop site of Yinxu Period at Tiesan Road in Anyang, Henan
  22. Reports
  23. The excavation of the Dadianshan Cemetery in Changning, Yunan
  24. Reports
  25. The excavation of the Huahaizi No. 3 Site in Qinghe County, Xinjiang
  26. Reports
  27. A Liao Dynasty tomb in the Panyanggou Cemetery, Bairin Left Banner, Inner Mongolia
  28. Research
  29. On the issues related to the discoid cores
  30. Research
  31. Variability in pottery firing technology: choice or technical development?
  32. Research
  33. The evolution of auspicious beasts in the burial decoration of the Six-Dynasties Period and the formation of the “Jin System”
  34. Research
  35. Studies on the materials and manufacturing technology of the murals unearthed at Shimao Site in Shenmu County, Shaanxi
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