THE EXPERIENCE IN THE APPLICATION OF ZONAL PATCHWORK MODELING IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE NEOLITHIC PERIOD'S LARGE VESSELS

Abstract

The article presents the results of experimental works, namely the application of zonal patchwork modeling in the manufacturing of large vessels, the shape and dimensions of which are similar to the Neolithic pitcomb vessels of the Volga region. It is dealt with the problems of identifying methods of designing archaeological ceramics techniques and of the findings verification. The experiment was carried out on the basis of the Samara expedition on the study of ancient pottery. The moulding compound with animal manure and gruss was prepared. Two ways were used: 1) the manufacture of the vessel in the shape of the container in accordance with a bottomcapacitive program of filling designing, with zonal patchwork modeling. Flat squashed lumps of mass in the form of «flat cake» in size of 4x4 cm and 5x8 cm were used as construction elements; 2) the manufacture of the vessel on the basis-form, the bottom-capacitance filling, small pre-element. The scraps 2.5-3 cm long were applied as «building elements»; they broke away from the braid 2-2,5 cm in diameter. The building was continuously carried out uninterruptedly in a path similar to the spiral. The experiment demonstrated the possibility and the maximum convenience of manufacturing of round-bottom and sharp-bottom vessels of large sizes with zonal patchwork modeling with the use of different form-models.