The classical farmstead revisited. Activity differentiation based on a ceramic use-typology

TY - JOUR

T1 - The classical farmstead revisited. Activity differentiation based on a ceramic use-typology

AU - Winther-Jacobsen, Kristina

PY - 2010/12

Y1 - 2010/12

N2 - This article explores some recent developments in the investigations of isolated rural settlements, and the methodologies to elicit differences and similarities among the Vari and the Dema houses and the class of sites identified as farmsteads by intensive surveys by the Laconia Rural Sites Project. In particular, the article discusses the ceramic use-typology pioneered by T.M. Whitelaw as an analytical tool for the study of artefactual variability of the surface assemblage related to activity differentiation, and a more detailed use-typology developed for the Troodos Archaeological and Environmental Survey Project (TAESP) in Cyprus, which is based not only on the morphology and surface treatment of a vessel, but on all the physical properties of the pottery including fabric, manufacturing techniques, and style. The consideration of a wider range of physical properties is especially important when working with pottery from surveys, because specific shapes can only be ascribed to a small proportion of potsherds, while the TAESP methodology allows the inclusion of a much larger proportion of material.

AB - This article explores some recent developments in the investigations of isolated rural settlements, and the methodologies to elicit differences and similarities among the Vari and the Dema houses and the class of sites identified as farmsteads by intensive surveys by the Laconia Rural Sites Project. In particular, the article discusses the ceramic use-typology pioneered by T.M. Whitelaw as an analytical tool for the study of artefactual variability of the surface assemblage related to activity differentiation, and a more detailed use-typology developed for the Troodos Archaeological and Environmental Survey Project (TAESP) in Cyprus, which is based not only on the morphology and surface treatment of a vessel, but on all the physical properties of the pottery including fabric, manufacturing techniques, and style. The consideration of a wider range of physical properties is especially important when working with pottery from surveys, because specific shapes can only be ascribed to a small proportion of potsherds, while the TAESP methodology allows the inclusion of a much larger proportion of material.

KW - Faculty of Humanities

KW - Classical farmsteads

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0068-2454

VL - 105

SP - 269

EP - 290

JO - Annual of the British School at Athens

JF - Annual of the British School at Athens

ER -