Chaîne opératoires and Communities of practice in local ceramic production at Iron Age Monte Iato (Sicily, 6 th -5 th century BCE)

Abstract

Abstract The study focuses on the reconstruction of the chaîne opératoires of Iron Age pottery production at Monte Iato (Sicily, southern Italy), in terms of clay deposits selection, raw material processing and firing technology. A set of 76 specimens from the central cult place of the site (600-450 BCE) and belonging to functional categories of serving and consumption of food and drinks, food preparation, cooking and storage were analyzed using macroscopic, mineralogic and petrographic methods. As proxy data, the results deepen our insights into local potters’ technologies and choices by revealing varied and multi-layered communities of practice determined by corresponding ceramic manufacture processes. These do differ in regards of raw material procurement, clay processing as well as firing techniques but at the same time are in some extent linked together through the constant use of grog as temper – a practice detectable over the entire use of the cult site of over 100 years.