The upcoming PCMA seminar will feature two talks: Dr Jacke Phillips (Centre of African Studies, SOAS / McDonald Institute, University of Cambridge) will present “Impermeability and Maneuverability in Pottery Reuse,” followed by Dr Katarzyna de Lellis-Danys (PCMA UW/National Museum in Warsaw) with a presentation: “Encounters of Pottery Recycling in Old Dongola (Sudan).”
Abstract: During the Pot Talks Series on March 26, 2026, Dr. Jacke Phillips will open the session with a brief introduction, followed by a presentation on pottery reuse that considers some unusual and innovative factors shaping secondary use. Her contribution will engage with broader discussions on sustainability and resourcefulness in Nubian contexts.
In the subsequent presentation, Dr. Katarzyna de Lellis-Danys will address pottery recycling at Old Dongola, focusing on the period between the 14th and 18th centuries. Her talk will highlight the intersections between vessels, spaces, and social practices, exploring recycling as a series of material encounters.
The presented examples demonstrate that pottery recycling reflects broader patterns of continuity and adaptation, and may be understood as part of a deliberate “zero-waste” strategy. Rather than being interpreted solely as a sign of poverty or limited access to resources, these practices are approached here as conscious and culturally embedded choices made by the inhabitants of the city.
The seminar will be held on Thursday, 26 March at 2 pm (Warsaw time) on the Zoom platform.
To receive the link, please email: seminarium.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 (PCMA UW and the National Museum in Warsaw). Lectures in this series include topics related to multidisciplinary ceramic research, which will enable participants to exchange experiences with researchers working in different parts of Africa and beyond.