What lies beyond rituals? Exploring the role of pottery in the chiefly polities of Lingjiatan

Abstract

Exploring the multivariate factors and their interrelationships in the development of early complex societies is crucial for understanding the diverse pathways these societies took. Previous studies have shown that Lingjiatan societies (c. 5700–5300 BP) in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River of China may have developed around ritual power, but other dimensions of social complexity, such as the role of pottery, have yet to be explored. Through morphological and compositional analysis of a large number of pottery sherds, this study assesses the production, distribution, and consumption of pottery across local and supra-local communities at Lingjiatan. The findings reveal that while the largest district did not possess exquisite pottery, its central community, where public works were concentrated, shows a greater prevalence of serving and fine-paste vessels, indicating its role in hosting ritual and ceremonial gatherings rather than wealth accumulation. The study also indicates that pottery production at Lingjiatan was dispersed, but the central community in the largest district had better access to a broader variety of pottery, reflecting a level of economic vibrancy driven by ritual activities. Our research underscores the crucial influence of ceremonial practices and belief systems in the development of Lingjiatan societies, with pottery playing a nuanced role, primarily in connection with these practices within the broader sociopolitical integration at Lingjiatan.