Project title: Cooking pots and thermal stress II

Researcher: Valentine Roux, archaeologist, CNRS, Paris

E-mail: roux(at)mae.u-paris10.fr

Year: 2004

Abstract:

Throughout a large part of human existence, pots have been important in preparing food over a fire. In order for a pot to be able to withstand the heat from the fire it is necessary to consider factors such as the pot’s form etc. In this experiment we are looking “over the shoulder” of prehistoric potters and following the consequences of particular choices on the pot’s durability with regard to heat.

Last year pots were reconstructed with each a single variable changed – type of clay, processing of clay, type and amount of tempering material respectively. The pots were put next to the fire three times and those pots which survived that (22 in all) were given to the Viking Market Place at the Centre to try the pots resistance to thermal stress in a longer perspective. Here it was used through the season for cheese making. The pots only have little direct contact to the fire and the slow process of making cheese is therefore very “thermal stressing”. After the season 13 pots had cracks. The experiment is one of an experimental series.

Reference number: HAF 06/04

Project title: Cooking pots and thermal stress I

Year: 2003

Abstract:

Throughout a great part of human existence pots have had an important function in preparing food over a fire. In order for a pot to withstand the heat from a fire it is important for various factors, such as mixing (tempering) of the clay with other materials, the form of the pot etc. to be taken into account.

With a starting point in pottery found during excavations in the Middle East, these experiments involve following closely the potter at work and tracing the consequences which certain decisions have for the pot’s durability with regard to heat. The experiment involves reconstructing a series of pots, each with one variable changed, for example shape, wall thickness, clay type etc. The pots will then be exposed to fire several times. The aim of the experiment is to illustrate some general features of past pottery production.

Reference number: HAF 06/03