Understanding Pottery Kilns: Interpretmg structure and process through experimental archaeology
This thesis is concerned with the understanding and interpretation of archaeological pottery kilns through experimental archaeology. It argues that the experimental reconstruction and firing of pottery kilns is not merely useful but essential if the production of ceramics in pre-industrial contexts is to be fully understood. The first. part of this work covers some fundamentals of pottery kilns. The constituent parts of pottery kilns are illustrated and a standard nomenclature for describing the pottery kiln is proposed. Following this the theory of ceramic firing is described, covering both well-understood principles like the ceramic change and more esoteric factors such as low-temperature reduction. The differences between open and kiln firing are also considered. The second part looks closely at the experimental approach. The history of experimental firing in Britain is appraised, as are the author's own experimental firing projects. The potential of experimental archaeology for one case study is also explored. The concluding chapter of this thesis provides an analysis of experimental firing as a technique. It discusses social aspects, judging success and failure, the achievements of past work and the necessity
Walker, David James Clement
Understanding Pottery Kilns: Interpretmg structure and process through experimental archaeology. This thesis is concerned with the understanding and interpretation of archaeological pottery kilns through experimental archaeology. It argues that the experimental reconstruction and firing of pottery kilns is not merely useful but essential if the production of ceramics in pre-industrial contexts is to be fully understood. The first. part of this work covers some fundamentals of pottery kilns. The constituent parts of pottery kilns are illustrated and a standard nomenclature for describing the pottery kiln is proposed. Following this the theory of ceramic firing is described, covering both well-understood principles like the ceramic change and more esoteric factors such as low-temperature reduction. The differences between open and kiln firing are also considered. The second part looks closely at the experimental approach. The history of experimental firing in Britain is appraised, as are the author's own experimental firing projects. The potential of experimental archaeology for one case study is also explored. The concluding chapter of this thesis provides an analysis of experimental firing as a technique. It discusses social aspects, judging success and failure, the achievements of past work and the necessity
pottery structure process experimental_archaeology concerned interpretation archaeological pottery kiln experimental_archaeology argues experimental reconstruction fire pottery kiln merely useful essential production ceramic pre_industrial context fully_understood first part work cover fundamental pottery kiln constituent_part pottery kiln illustrate standard nomenclature describe pottery kiln propose following theory ceramic firing described cover well_understood principle like ceramic change esoteric factor low temperature reduction difference open kiln firing also_consider second_part look_closely experimental approach history experimental firing britain appraise author experimental firing project potential experimental_archaeology case_study also_explore conclude provide_analysis experimental firing technique discus social_aspect judge success_failure achievement past work necessity