After the Christmas break, the “Pot Talks” PCMA Seminar series will resume on Thursday, 25th January, with a presentation: “Variability in constants or constancy in variables? The technology of pottery production in post-medieval and modern Nubian societies from Old Dongola and its vicinity” by Bogusław Franczyk (Doctoral School of Humanities).
Abstract: “During numerous ethnographical researches, it was observed that learning and sharing of knowledge occurred within a community, which changes the way we think about cultural transmission. Apprentices learn the correct way of making things while acquiring knowledge. These techniques are firmly implanted in their memory and are resistant to external influences. They are like technological fingerprints. Thus, the changes in technology can also reflect a shift in the way knowledge is passed down through society.
For a better understanding of technological choices, the author decided to use a set of particular methods and analytical tools. Petrographic analysis, traceological observations and mesoscopic thick-section analysis reveal traces of quite personal decisions influenced by social and techno-functional constraints. As a result, the need for new tools and analytical methods can enhance our comprehension of past technological processes, and in turn, reveal any societal changes or consistencies.
For a case study, the author selected two sets of pottery assemblages. The first set comprises ceramic materials from the period of the 17-19th century CE, which were excavated at Old Dongola citadel during the ERC Starting Grant project “UMMA – Urban Metamorphosis of the Community of a Medieval African capital city”. The second set of pottery materials was collected during ethnographic research conducted in the vicinity of the archaeological site.”
The seminar will be held on Thursday, January 25th at 2 pm (Warsaw Time) – on the Zoom platform. To receive the link, please write to pcma@uw.edu.pl
The “Pot Talks – A multidisciplinary approach to ceramics from the African area and beyond” is a thematic series within the PCMA Seminar. It is organised by Dr. Katarzyna de Lellis-Danys from the Department of African Studies, PCMA UW, and the National Museum in Warsaw. Lectures in this series will include topics related to multidisciplinary ceramic research, which will enable participants to exchange experiences with researchers working in different parts of Africa and beyond. Areas of interest include the social and economic impact of ceramics on ancient populations, archaeometric research and methodology, including data collection and management.