Technological analysis of Early Bronze ceramics of Shauke 1 settlement

Abstract

The paper introduces the first results of special technical and technological investigation of ceramic artifacts discovered during the excavations of the Early Bronze Age settlement Shauke 1 located in the Pavlodar Region of North-East Kazakhstan. The research of ceramic objects is conducted within historical and cultural approach following A.A. Bobrinsky’s technique. 53 samples from different vessels were selected for the technological analysis of ceramic artifacts found at the settlement. The samples were investigated with the use of a binocular microscope MBS-10. The main objective of the research was to identify cultural traditions at a preparatory stage of ceramic vessels production. The author studied initial raw materials selection skills and forming substance preparation. The author recorded the use of several conditional «spots» as sources of raw materials. Six different recipes of forming substances were identified at the settlement of Shauke 1. The most common amongst them are «clay + chamotte + organic solution» (60,38%), «clay + chamotte + bone + organic solution» (28,30%). This indicates the presence of artisans who followed different traditions of pottery production at the site.