Raw Materials and Technological Choices: Case Study of Neolithic Black Pottery From the Middle Yangtze River Valley of China
Neolithic black pottery from continental Eurasia has attracted scholarly interest since the 1930s, yet its diverse production and use remains poorly understood. This study examined 165 black pottery sherds from Fenghuangzui, a walled town in the middle Yangtze River valley of China, to investigate r...
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De Gruyter
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Open Archaeology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1515/opar-2024-0025 |
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| author | Li Guoyuan Tian Hui Li Qiang Shan Siwei Zhao Jing Li Tao |
| author_facet | Li Guoyuan Tian Hui Li Qiang Shan Siwei Zhao Jing Li Tao |
| author_sort | Li Guoyuan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Neolithic black pottery from continental Eurasia has attracted scholarly interest since the 1930s, yet its diverse production and use remains poorly understood. This study examined 165 black pottery sherds from Fenghuangzui, a walled town in the middle Yangtze River valley of China, to investigate raw materials and technological choices during the Upper Qujialing (5300–4500 cal BP) and Shijiahe (4500–4200 cal BP) periods. Raman analysis confirms that carbon black was the sole colorant, formed through the absorption of carbon particles. Microscopic examinations categorized 104 fine-paste sherds into 4 sub-groups based on surface texture, identifying 3 clay sources (AA, BB, and BB*) through chemical analysis. AA and BB were the primary sources during both periods, while BB and BB* were preferred in the Shijiahe period for higher-quality serving and drinking vessels linked to feasting. Thin-section petrography and thermal expansion curves indicate the use of local raw materials and firing temperatures of 820–920°C. The consistent clay sources and firing conditions suggest stable practices, while the correlation between certain clay sources and finer pots indicates the potter’s adaptability to specific needs, reflecting the active role of Fenghuangzui inhabitants in sociopolitical events during the Shijiahe period. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-08a4810627574debb31a3aba2aa4c171 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2300-6560 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | De Gruyter |
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| series | Open Archaeology |
| spelling | doaj-art-08a4810627574debb31a3aba2aa4c1712025-08-20T02:00:55ZengDe GruyterOpen Archaeology2300-65602025-02-01111354510.1515/opar-2024-0025Raw Materials and Technological Choices: Case Study of Neolithic Black Pottery From the Middle Yangtze River Valley of ChinaLi Guoyuan0Tian Hui1Li Qiang2Shan Siwei3Zhao Jing4Li Tao5Department of Archaeology, School of History, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, ChinaThe Fenghuangzui Conservation Center, Xiangyang, 441129, ChinaShanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, ChinaDepartment of Archaeology, School of History, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, ChinaShanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, ChinaDepartment of Archaeology, School of History, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, ChinaNeolithic black pottery from continental Eurasia has attracted scholarly interest since the 1930s, yet its diverse production and use remains poorly understood. This study examined 165 black pottery sherds from Fenghuangzui, a walled town in the middle Yangtze River valley of China, to investigate raw materials and technological choices during the Upper Qujialing (5300–4500 cal BP) and Shijiahe (4500–4200 cal BP) periods. Raman analysis confirms that carbon black was the sole colorant, formed through the absorption of carbon particles. Microscopic examinations categorized 104 fine-paste sherds into 4 sub-groups based on surface texture, identifying 3 clay sources (AA, BB, and BB*) through chemical analysis. AA and BB were the primary sources during both periods, while BB and BB* were preferred in the Shijiahe period for higher-quality serving and drinking vessels linked to feasting. Thin-section petrography and thermal expansion curves indicate the use of local raw materials and firing temperatures of 820–920°C. The consistent clay sources and firing conditions suggest stable practices, while the correlation between certain clay sources and finer pots indicates the potter’s adaptability to specific needs, reflecting the active role of Fenghuangzui inhabitants in sociopolitical events during the Shijiahe period.https://doi.org/10.1515/opar-2024-0025fenghuangzuineolithic black potterychemical compositionthin-section petrographytechnological choice |
| spellingShingle | Li Guoyuan Tian Hui Li Qiang Shan Siwei Zhao Jing Li Tao Raw Materials and Technological Choices: Case Study of Neolithic Black Pottery From the Middle Yangtze River Valley of China Open Archaeology fenghuangzui neolithic black pottery chemical composition thin-section petrography technological choice |
| title | Raw Materials and Technological Choices: Case Study of Neolithic Black Pottery From the Middle Yangtze River Valley of China |
| title_full | Raw Materials and Technological Choices: Case Study of Neolithic Black Pottery From the Middle Yangtze River Valley of China |
| title_fullStr | Raw Materials and Technological Choices: Case Study of Neolithic Black Pottery From the Middle Yangtze River Valley of China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Raw Materials and Technological Choices: Case Study of Neolithic Black Pottery From the Middle Yangtze River Valley of China |
| title_short | Raw Materials and Technological Choices: Case Study of Neolithic Black Pottery From the Middle Yangtze River Valley of China |
| title_sort | raw materials and technological choices case study of neolithic black pottery from the middle yangtze river valley of china |
| topic | fenghuangzui neolithic black pottery chemical composition thin-section petrography technological choice |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1515/opar-2024-0025 |
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