Vessels on the floor − pottery in the construction of the household

Abstract

On the southern slope of Sabugal Castle (Sabugal, Guarda, Beira Interior, Portugal), the identification of an Iron Age domestic unit, characterized by a compacted clay floor, serves as the starting point for this study. Beneath the circulation floor, several pottery sherds were found, associated with the foundation phase of the domestic unit and the internal levelling of the circulation area within the hut.

The analysis of manufacturing traces is crucial for understanding the pottery sherds collected beneath the floor, shedding light on their various meanings and uses throughout their life cycle, including their reuse beneath the floor.

We will analyse the forming techniques based on the distribution and orientation of particles and voids in the sherds’ paste, as well as characteristics associated with the surface finishes of the samples.

The results will allow us to discuss the process of reuse and recycling of pottery sherds, from their original function to their incorporation into the floor’s foundation.