EARTHENWARE FROM A FIRING SITE IN MYANMAR (BURMA) DATES TO MORE THAN 4,500 YEARS AGO

Abstract

A radiocarbon date range of 2,890 to 2,470 BC for an earthenware firing site at Halin in Upper Myanmar (Burma) puts a solid timeframe around an assemblage that includes incised and burnished wares, and a spout. While earthenware is often found associated with burials in this region (Pautreau 2007 ; Pautreau, Coupey et al. 2010), this site provides a rare glimpse of early earthenware pottery production. Initial finds call for some reappraisal of approaches to Myanmar’s material culture in the pre-metal and pre-urban periods.