Comparative Study On Early Pottery From Typical Sites In Southern China

Pottery is the most abundant among ancient remains, and the early pottery bears the information on the production and living conditions of ancestors. The emergence of pottery is an epoch-making event for humankind after using fire. Ceramics are one of the most common classes of artifacts found in archaeological contexts, which has made them a very important tool for archaeologists to reconstruct the past. So research on early pottery is of significant importance.With the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Combined with new discoveries of relevant archaeological institutions in recent years, the early pottery sherds from Huxi and Miaoshan sites were tested and analyzed. Meanwhile, the characteristics of production process of early pottery from different typical sites and the close relationship with local resources or the environment were also further discussed based on the relevant research results by Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute, etc.Chapter one, named literature review,mainly demonstrates early pottery sherds from typical sites, reviews the study of early pottery at home and abroad, points out the problem needing to solve, and then introduces methodology of this essay.Chapter two is test and analysis of the early pottery sherds from Huxi and Miaoshan sites. The chemical composition, microstructures and crystal attributes were studied by means of EDXRF, XRD and Raman Spectra. And then their raw materials, molding, decorating and firing process were discussed.Chapter three focused on the production process of early pottery from typical sites, selection and processing of raw materials, pottery molding method and firing process were studied, the characteristics of production process of early pottery from different typical sites and the close relationship with local resources or the environment were also further discussed for comprehensive and objective understanding on evolution and development of early pottery.Chapter four comparatively studied on early pottery with minority region making pottery, Collection and combed material on minority region making pottery, and then comparison with early pottery, further discussing their production process and role in the ancient society.Finally,there are several problems confronted with in the study on pottery in the last part of my essay,along with my statement.