Ceramic traditions on the territory of the Permian Urals during the Great Migration of Peoples: application of technical, technological and statistical analyses

Abstract

The article presents the results of technical, technological and statistical analyses of ceramics from the epoch of the Great Migration of Peoples found on the monuments of the Permian Urals. The technical and technological analysis was carried out within the framework of the historical and cultural approach developed by A.A. Bobrinsky. Statistical analysis of the sample, including 136 vessels from 10 archaeological sites, using the k-means method allowed us to talk about a motley and diverse cultural palette of the population of the studied territory. The authors identified 8 clusters, each of which can be identified with a particular cultural tradition of pottery making. The analyzed ceramic material allows us to talk about the mixing of at least two groups of the population, one of which is associated with the tradition of using crushed shells in the production of ceramics, and the second – manure, organic solution, chamotte and dry processing of the initial plastic raw materials. The intertwining of traditions is clearly recorded by the facts of the identification of mixed multicomponent compositions of molding masses (clay + crushed shell + organic solution; clay + crushed shell + chamotte; clay + crushed shell + chamotte + organic solution). According to the results of the analysis, local ceramic traditions were also recorded, demonstrating the high dependence of ceramic production technology on available raw materials (sanded clay raw materials; silty clays). In the course of the study, the tradition of using crushed raw materials in the production of ceramics was described and interpreted, the origins of which may be associated with the area of distribution of the Mazunin culture.