Scientific Analysis on the Manufacturing Technique of Early Historic Pottery of Bangladesh: Application of Experimental Archaeology

Abstract

The present study wants to identify the making technique of an early historic pottery type of Bangladesh and for this research potshard samples were collected from archaeological excavated site with documented stratigraphic data. The used method for analysis is known as ‘Polished thin-section’ which is now commonly using for petrographic analysis in modern world. Another important aspect for this archaeological analysis is experiment to reproduction of the same quality object, and present research did successful replication of an early historic pottery of Bangladesh known as ‘Northern Black Polished ware’ or NBPW. Archaeological pottery analysis with modern scientific method is still faces challenges in Bangladesh because lack of proper knowledge and absence of modern equipped laboratory. Prepared Thin-section petrography from collected samples shows that NBPW of Bangladesh has possess thin polished surface of multi-layered coating. The practical experiments were successful by achieving the reproduction of a black colored surface which is almost resembled with original potsherd of Northern Black Polished Ware. This research tells us a story of vigorous cultural aesthetic behavior as well as provides information on scientific sustainable technique of pottery decoration.