Sammanfattning
In this thesis the pottery assemblage of the multi period settlement site and cremation cemetery under level ground at Pahamäki, Pahka, Lieto in SW Finland has been analyzed through optical microscopy. The oldest potsherds found at the site are most likely Typical Comb Ware, whereas the youngest sherds are of post-medieval date. The majority of the material is from the Merovingian Period
–
Viking Age. A typology has been constructed based on primarily fabric, and to a lesser extent surface treatment, while largely omitting the most common typological variable, i.e. decoration. It is evident that the same decorations and vessel shapes have been used for a variety of fabrics. The pottery types have then been quantified based on sherd weight. Frequency seriation has been used to depict and compare the use-histories of the types in the different areas of the site. The ceramic technology at Pahamäki has seemingly remained quite stable, and in the extreme cases, one can see a continuity from early Neolithic times to early medieval times. However, small modifications have often been made to the general recipes. In the west of the site especially, the fabrics and surfaces had underwent smaller alterations. Some larger trends could also be made out, such as a switch from organic, carbonate tempered fabrics to mineral tempered fabrics in Epineolithic pottery contra Iron Age pottery, which may have been a technological adaptation to an increasingly sedentary life. In some cases, the orientation of the temper hinted at the use of some kind of paddle and anvil to work the wet clay. It has been argued that there were clear differences in the distribution of pottery between different areas of the cremation cemetery under level ground. The northern area may have been the original cemetery, which was expanded. There were also differences between the settlement contexts and the cemetery contexts. The distributions varied both in terms of represented types and overall quantities. It appeared as if two coarse bulk wares have been in use during the Iron Age at the site, likely utilized for both cooking, particularly dry roasting based on charring patterns, as well as storage. However, they also played an important part in the funerary customs. Although crude, they may have been loaded with values tied to e.g. certain activities or traditional foods. Another type, perhaps used to boil food, was frequent in the settlement contexts, but almost missing within the cemetery. Three finer types were overrepresented in the cremation cemetery under level ground in comparison to the settlement contexts. Notably, they were abundant in the first layer of the cemetery. Building on previous research, I have suggested that these finer types had a central function in the commemorative rituals and feasts, which took place on the cemetery. The vessels were likely used to serve food and drink, and perhaps for the brewing of beer. It is unlikely that they were cooking vessels, as no sherds were found with visible charring. Finally, there were some indications of possible re-use of pre-Iron Age pottery in association with the cremation cemetery.
–
Viking Age. A typology has been constructed based on primarily fabric, and to a lesser extent surface treatment, while largely omitting the most common typological variable, i.e. decoration. It is evident that the same decorations and vessel shapes have been used for a variety of fabrics. The pottery types have then been quantified based on sherd weight. Frequency seriation has been used to depict and compare the use-histories of the types in the different areas of the site. The ceramic technology at Pahamäki has seemingly remained quite stable, and in the extreme cases, one can see a continuity from early Neolithic times to early medieval times. However, small modifications have often been made to the general recipes. In the west of the site especially, the fabrics and surfaces had underwent smaller alterations. Some larger trends could also be made out, such as a switch from organic, carbonate tempered fabrics to mineral tempered fabrics in Epineolithic pottery contra Iron Age pottery, which may have been a technological adaptation to an increasingly sedentary life. In some cases, the orientation of the temper hinted at the use of some kind of paddle and anvil to work the wet clay. It has been argued that there were clear differences in the distribution of pottery between different areas of the cremation cemetery under level ground. The northern area may have been the original cemetery, which was expanded. There were also differences between the settlement contexts and the cemetery contexts. The distributions varied both in terms of represented types and overall quantities. It appeared as if two coarse bulk wares have been in use during the Iron Age at the site, likely utilized for both cooking, particularly dry roasting based on charring patterns, as well as storage. However, they also played an important part in the funerary customs. Although crude, they may have been loaded with values tied to e.g. certain activities or traditional foods. Another type, perhaps used to boil food, was frequent in the settlement contexts, but almost missing within the cemetery. Three finer types were overrepresented in the cremation cemetery under level ground in comparison to the settlement contexts. Notably, they were abundant in the first layer of the cemetery. Building on previous research, I have suggested that these finer types had a central function in the commemorative rituals and feasts, which took place on the cemetery. The vessels were likely used to serve food and drink, and perhaps for the brewing of beer. It is unlikely that they were cooking vessels, as no sherds were found with visible charring. Finally, there were some indications of possible re-use of pre-Iron Age pottery in association with the cremation cemetery.
| Originalspråk | finska |
|---|---|
| Tilldelande institution |
|
| Status | Publicerad - 2019 |
| MoE-publikationstyp | G2 Masteruppsats, polyteknisk masteruppsats |