Quantitative measures of the uniformity of ceramics

Abstract

Abstract: The introduction of computerized recording and measurement of archaeological ceramic vessels opens new channels of research, some of which we introduce and discuss in the present contribution. In particular, we show that the accurate measurements of wheel produced pottery provide information on the deviations from the ideal cylindrical symmetry which are due to faults in various stages of the production process. We present a systematic method to quantify two kinds of deviations from perfect symmetry: the uniformity of the profiles of cross-sections and the deformations of horizontal sections. We propose that they may be considered as indicators of the technological skill of the producers, in a way which was not possible hitherto in archaeological research