Contributions of scientific analysis to the study of pottery distribution in Eastern Africa
Case studies of the Nubian Medieval Period
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6042196 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Laurence Smith (0000-0002-9898-9288, Arthur B. McDonald-Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute, corresponding author), L M V Smith |
| Year | 2004 |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 305-323 |
| Publication date | 2004-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Azania Archaeological Research in Africa (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0067-270X • E-ISSN: 1945-5534 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/00672700409480405 |
| OpenAlex | W1485545489 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 10 |
This article concentrates on an assessment of the use of scientific methods of analysis for the examination of the production and trade in pottery. A brief review is presented of the previous published work on this topic relating to Nubia. The main part of the article presents a case study undertaken by the author, with the encouragement of John Alexander, on the use of thin section petrography in the study of the distribution of ‘tablewares’ during the Medieval Period in Nubia. Material from several available production sites is first examined, and the degree of variation in fabric composition between these sites is compared with that evident within and between different vessels, to determine whether there is a basis for distinguishing between the different regions in the Nile Valley. Vessels from two sites of consumption are compared with the available samples of known site of manufacture, within the Kingdoms of Nobatia and Makouria. The extent to which it is possible to confirm the provenance of wares considered to be imports and to investigate the distribution of locally made wares within the Kingdoms is determined, and the main implications of the case study for ceramic trade in Nubia are considered. The utility of these techniques for extending knowledge of the organisation of trade/exchange of pottery in the East African region is assessed
Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Consumption (sociology) · Distribution (mathematics) · Geography · Kingdom · Mineralogy · Period (music) · Petrography · Pottery · Provenance · Section (typography) · Social science · Sociology · Work (physics) · African history and culture analysis · Ancient Egypt and Archaeology · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Computer Science · Engineering · Geology · History · Paleontology
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0.09 |
| Citation span | 2015 - 2015 (1) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |