Ceramics making technology from the Eneolithic layers of Rakushechny Yar settlement

Abstract

The paper contains the results of the technical and technological analysis of ceramics from the Eneolithic layers of the Rakushechny Yar settlement. It is located on the Porechny Island (the Don River, Rostov Region, Russian Federation). The methodological basis of the conducted research is a historical and cultural approach to the study of ancient ceramics, developed in Russian archeology by A.A. Bobrinsky. The methods of the research are binocular microscopy, trasology and experiment (physical modeling). 141 samples of ceramics (conditionally separate vessels) from layers 5-2 of Rakushechny Yar were subjected to a microscopic examination. The obtained technological information allowed us to reconstruct techniques and methods of Eneolithic utensils manufacturing at all stages of production - preparatory, creative and fortifying stages of pottery technology. Based on these data, the paper presents a general description of the Eneolithic pottery. A comparative analysis was made of the pottery technology of the Neolithic and Eneolithic population that inhabited the Rakushechny Yar site. According to its results, the similarities and differences of the Eneolithic and Neolithic pottery traditions are highlighted. Particular attention is paid to the question of the possible origins of new traditions, which became widespread during the Eneolithic. These include silty clays selection traditions, the introduction of artificial additives into the molding composition: crushed shell, bird fluff and sand.