Technological choices and practices of Early Bronze Age pottery production in the Central Plains: Focusing on the sites of Xinzhai and Huadizui

Abstract

Aspects of the Early Bronze Age (ca. 2050–1640 BCE) pottery production technology and knowledge transfer in the Central Plains of China (i.e., the Zhengzhou-Luoyang area) were studied. To this aim, 120 domestic pottery samples and ten geological samples from two central sites at Xinzhai and Huadizui were studied macroscopically and analysed with X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Based on a discussion of macroscopical evidence and chemical composition, the results tentatively indicate the technological knowledge transfer between the potters in Xinzhai and Huadizui sites despite being located about 80 km apart. Pottery of the same category was manufactured with similar selection and preparation strategies of ceramic raw materials, decorated with similar patterns, and adopted similar forming techniques. More specifically, the cookware from the Xinzhai and Huadizui sites was hand-made and Ca-poor, while the storage- and drinking wares were wheel-made and Ca-rich. These results likely indicate the existence of one overarching community of practice, potters located at Xinzhai and Huadizui, who shared strategies for raw materials selection, paste preparation, and finishing.