| Abstract: |
Much Southeast Asian ceramic analysis has emphasized aspects of pottery styles. Form and decoration have received particular attention. This paper compares local and exotic wares uncovered at Khok Phanom Di in an attempt to define the areal distribution of specific styles. Vessel shapes, surface treatments, decoration and fabric compositions are considered allowing each type (defined as the form (shape, texture, surface colour, decoration and treatment), plus fabric (paste) composition of a vessel) to be separated into local and exotic wares. Petrographic techniques have also helped to suggest sources for the exotic sample and this provided key information as to the likely geographic spread of certain clearly defined styles. What determines the areal distribution of specific pottery styles is of some importance. Such distributions could, for example, indicate: copying of novel exotic wares
a widespread adoption of popular fashion(s)
the migration of cultural groups into new areas
close socio-cultural relationships (i.e. social group(s) of one culture relating with those of another). Some special burial jars carry what appear to be clan signs (May and Tuckson 1984: 292, 322) which are thought to symbolize aspects of social organization. These special burial jar forms probably spread through socio-economic relationships.
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