| Abstract: |
Recent studies have revealed that exotic pottery entering Khok Phanom Di (KPD), an important pottery production centre, located on an estuary of the Bang Pakong River, contained rice by-products. This suggests a close association with rice and that sufficient was available for it to play a critical role in potting technology. Its use to temper pottery fabrics, a highly sensitive comportment of ceramic technology, suggsts that its availability was consistently reliable. The source of this exotic pottery od of considerable interest. Petrographic evidence will be presented which could help trace its likely origins. Other technical aspects of the rice-tempered pottery indicate that it was made by potters working within an advanced ceramic tradition. The producers of these technically sophisticated wares were clearly familiar with highly developed potting industry, which had probably been developed over a long period under stable conditions. This tradition, in terms of the use of rice and complex manufacturing techniques, contrasts sharply in comparison with other 2nd millennium BC Thai potting traditions.
|
