Pottery Use-Alteration as an Indicator of Socioeconomic Status: An Ethnoarchaeological Study of the Gamo of Ethiopia

Author: Arthur J.W.

Source: Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, Volume 9, Number 4, December 2002 , pp. 331-355(25)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

The use of a pottery vessel leaves markers on the ceramic wall that can inform archaeologists how the vessel functioned in the past. At present, archaeologists have little information for understanding how use-alteration reflects the complex nature of ceramic function and socioeconomic status. I conducted a 2-year ethnoarchaeological research project among the Gamo people of southwestern Ethiopia, who continue to produce and use pottery on a daily basis. This research indicates that interior surface attrition occurs primarily on pottery vessels used in wealthy households because of fermentation processes from high-status foods. Thus, the Gamo example suggests that there is a relationship between ceramic use-alteration and household socioeconomic status.

Keywords: pottery; use-alteration; wealth; Ethiopia

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, 1112 Turlington Hall, Gainesville, Florida 32611; jarthur@ufl.edu

Publication date: 2002-12-01