>Nava Panitz-Cohen of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in an article published in Biblical Archaeology Review explores the significant impact that pottery has in archaeological research. The following is an excerpt from the article:

Pottery is both the bane and the blessing of the archaeologist’s work. On the one hand, it is often ubiquitous to the point of uncontrollability; on the other hand, it is this very trait that makes it so valuable for archaeological research. Pottery has played a role in determining just about every facet of archaeological study: chronology, ethnicity, trade, prestige, building function, social complexity, level of technology, gender, age, cultic activity, mortuary beliefs—in short, almost every aspect of human culture and behavior we can imagine. More than any other artifact, pottery tells us how ancient people interacted with their environment and with each other.

To read the article in its entirety, visit the Biblical Archaeology Review online.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

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Tags: Archaeology, Nava Panitz-Cohen, Pottery