Prehistoric Pottery from the Ancient Near East - Discussion themes


Monday May 6 – Introduction & History Pottery Studies


1) Orton, C, P. Tyers & Vince, A.

1993

 “History of Pottery Studies”, in: C. Orton, P. Tyers, and A, Vince, Pottery in Archaeology,
Cambridge, Cambridge University Press: 3–22.

1) Bernbeck, R. and Nieuwenhuyse, O.P.

2012

Selected part from "Established paradigms, current disputes and emerging themes: the state of
research on the Late Neolithic in Upper Mesopotamia“, in: Nieuwenhuyse, O.P., Bernbeck. R.,
Akkermans, P.M.M.G. amd Rogasch, J. (eds.), Interpreting the Late Neolithic of Upper Mesopotamia,
Turnhout, Brepols.



Read the two pieces of literature. Think about it for a while, have some coffee, then write down
your thoughts on the following two questions:

1) Why would you want to study pottery?

2) What problems do Bernbeck and Nieuwenhuyse identify in making a Late Neolithic chronology on the
basis of pottery?


Make sure your answers reach me latest Tuesday evening. We shall discuss these issues with the
group on Wednesday afternoon.