Prehistoric Britain: The Ceramic Basis

Pottery has become one of the major categories of artefact that is used in reconstructing the lives and habits of prehistoric people. In these 14 papers, members of the Prehistoric Ceramics Research Group discuss the many ways in which pottery is used to study chronology, behavioural changes, inter-relationships between people and between people and their environment, technology and production, exchange, settlement organisation, cultural expression, style and symbolism. Contents: Introduction (Ann Woodward & J D Hill); A date with the past: Late Bronze and Iron Age pottery and chronology (Steven Willis); The nature of archaeological deposits and finds assemblages (Joshua Pollard); Aspects of manufacture and ceramic technology (Alex Gibson); Between ritual and routine: interpreting British prehistoric pottery production and distribution (Sue Hamilton); Staying alive: The function and use of prehistoric ceramics (Elaine L Morris); Sherds in space: pottery and the analysis of site organisation (Ann Woodward); Pottery and the expression of society, economy and culture (J D Hill); Ceramic lifes (Alistair Barclay); Pots as categories: British Beakers (Robin Boast); Inclusions, impressions and interpretation (Ann Woodward); A regional ceramic sequence: pottery of the First Millennium BC between the Humber and the Nene (David Knight); Just about the potter's wheel? Using, making and depositing Middle and Later Iron Age pots in East Anglia (J D Hill); Roman pottery in Iron Age Britain

Although based on research from the British Isles, this book suggests exciting new ways of looking at ceramics, which will be of relevance to all archaeologists.