Ceramics are among the most common type of archaeological material.
Ceramics are objects made from clay that are shaped and then baked or fired at high temperatures in a kiln, making them hard. They come in a variety of shapes and functions, such as pots and bricks, and are highly durable which is why they are interesting to archaeologists. We know from the archaeological record that ceramics started to appear around 3,000 BCE, especially when people began to establish more permanent settlements. As regional contact and trade grew, some ceramic forms, especially from China, became highly prized.
To cite this page: Tan, Noel Hidalgo (2021, Updated 6 April 2022) Ceramics. Southeast Asian Archaeology. Available at: https://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/ceramics/
Some of the more notable ceramic traditions in Southeast Asia include the Ban Chiang pots with their distinctive red markings, Thai Celadon (Sawankhalok ware) and Chu Dau ceramics produced in Vietnam from the 12th-17th centuries CE. If you are in Bangkok, the Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum in Bangkok University gives an overview of the ceramic traditions in the region.
Recommended Books
There are a numerous books about Southeast Asian ceramics. The list below is my personal recommendation based on what I have in my library or have read, and are easily available. These are affiliate links and I may receive a commission if you click on them and make a purchase. But also remember there are some local-language publications that are not available in the internet. For other sources of reliable academic information, you should also check out the books page for latest releases and the occassional free book, as well as the journals page for the latest scientific research.
Last update on 2022-05-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Archaeological Ceramics in the News
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