Were pots first made for foods? Doubts from Franchthi

Abstract

Abstract Analyses of the earlier Neolithic ceramic assemblage from Franchthi Cave in southern Greece began from the assumption that the potters exercised choices in selecting materials and procedures. The classification process identified and grouped sherds that reflect similar choices. The resulting groups provide the starting point for inquiries into the motivations for the choices and the intended functions of the vessels. Changes in the dynamics of pottery production from EN through MN (c. 1000 years) point to changes in vessel function as well as style. Cooking pots can be documented only near the end of that period. The late appearance of cooking vessels, coupled with other evidence such as very low production figures for the earliest centuries, raises questions about the close association of pottery and food preparation in the earlier Neolithic.