Pots, people, and politics : a reconsideration of the role of ceramics in reconstructions of the Iron Age Northern Levant
This thesis aims to reconsider current reconstructions of the Iron Age Northern Levant and the role that ceramics studies have played in these interpretations. This study begins with an assessment of the use of the historical narrative in current interpretations. This historical interpretative framework has produced a broad perspective on Iron Age society, at the expense of localised behaviours. For this reason, the present study attempts to engage with Iron Age material culture, more specifically pottery, and consider its role within past societies beyond the broad socio-political histories depicted in texts. This study presents a regional ceramic typology for the Iron Age (including the Persian period) and undertakes an analysis of the distribution patterns of this typology across the Northern Levant. An alternative interpretation of the ceramic data is offered, before being compared with the current historical model. This alternative reconstruction focuses on theories of practice, and foodways, whilst appreciating the dynamic manner by which material culture is used to constantly negotiate and consolidate social structures. This thesis will determine the compatibility of archaeology and text, and make some
Whincop, Matthew R.
Pots, people, and politics : a reconsideration of the role of ceramics in reconstructions of the Iron Age Northern Levant. This thesis aims to reconsider current reconstructions of the Iron Age Northern Levant and the role that ceramics studies have played in these interpretations. This study begins with an assessment of the use of the historical narrative in current interpretations. This historical interpretative framework has produced a broad perspective on Iron Age society, at the expense of localised behaviours. For this reason, the present study attempts to engage with Iron Age material culture, more specifically pottery, and consider its role within past societies beyond the broad socio-political histories depicted in texts. This study presents a regional ceramic typology for the Iron Age (including the Persian period) and undertakes an analysis of the distribution patterns of this typology across the Northern Levant. An alternative interpretation of the ceramic data is offered, before being compared with the current historical model. This alternative reconstruction focuses on theories of practice, and foodways, whilst appreciating the dynamic manner by which material culture is used to constantly negotiate and consolidate social structures. This thesis will determine the compatibility of archaeology and text, and make some
people politics reconsideration role ceramic reconstruction iron age northern_levant aim reconsider current reconstruction iron age northern_levant role ceramic_study play interpretation study_begin assessment use historical_narrative current interpretation historical interpretative_framework produce broad_perspective iron age society expense localise behaviour reason present_study attempt engage iron_age material_culture specifically pottery consider_role within past_society beyond broad socio_political history depict text study present regional ceramic typology iron_age include persian period undertake analysis distribution_pattern typology across northern_levant alternative_interpretation ceramic data offer compare current historical model alternative reconstruction focus theory_practice foodways whilst appreciate dynamic manner material_culture use constantly negotiate consolidate social_structure determine compatibility archaeology text make