A preliminary assessment of the organization of ceramic production at Liangchengzhen, Rizhao, Shandong: Perspectives from petrography

A petrographic analysis of clay recipes in Late Neolithic north-western China: continuity and change

“…In both cases, examination of paste recipes could potentially provide information on the location of raw materials and the methods of ceramic production, allowing for a deeper understanding of potential continuities or changes in communities of producers. Indeed, this is now being addressed with a recent analysis of ceramic production during later time periods in Shandong Province (Druc et al 2018), as well as with increasing numbers of studies investigating diachronic changes in ceramic production in other parts of the world (D'Ercole et al 2017; Ting 2017). These studies should lead to more nuanced understandings of the complex relationship between ceramic form, production and social organisation in early China and beyond.…”

“…Indeed, this is now being addressed with a recent analysis of ceramic production during later time periods in Shandong Province (Druc et al . 2018), as well as with increasing numbers of studies investigating diachronic changes in ceramic production in other parts of the world (D'Ercole et al . 2017; Ting 2017).…”

“…2009, 2018; Druc et al . 2018), this study represents the first large-scale petrographic analysis of ceramics from Gansu Province.…”

“…Although a small but increasing number of petrographic studies of early Chinese ceramics have been conducted (e.g. Xu et al 2001;Stoltman et al 2009Stoltman et al , 2018Druc et al 2018), this study represents the first large-scale petrographic analysis of ceramics from Gansu Province.…”

From local to long-distance: Neolithic and Bronze Age ceramic networks in north-western China

“…While it can prove challenging to identify direct connections between raw materials and finished ceramic products (Arnold et al 1991), careful petrographic analysis of paste recipes combined with a detailed understanding of local raw materials can help archaeologists understand topics ranging from production choices, the identities of producers, and the extent of exchange networks (Quinn et al 2010;Druc 2013;Michelaki et al 2014;Eckert et al 2015;Stoner et al 2015;Druc et al 2018;Burke et al 2021). The identification of paste recipes associated with particular communities of practice-defined as closely related producers who pass down shared knowledge of production as well as specialised motor skills through time-can allow us to track the circulation of products made by discrete groups of potters ( Sassaman & Rudolphi 2001;Stark 2006).…”