Anthropological Interpretations from Archaeological Ceramic Studies: An Introduction

Abstract

For decades, ceramic analysis has been widely used in archaeological research of the American Southwest, but several recent ceramic studies have gone well beyond classification and material sourcing to examine the social relationships among ceramic exchange, production, and complexity. Presented here are studies from Classic period (A.D. 1270-1450) sites of central Arizona that focus on prehistoric social relationships among communities during times of population movement and aggregation. These recent research projects have made significant interpretive strides by examining ceramic change as an indicator of exchange pattern modifications and population shifts. These studies establish substantial databases of ceramic analyses and integrate results from complementary research methods to develop and test models of social interaction.