Funerary vs. domestic vessels from the Hallstatt period. A study on ceramic vases from the Milejowice settlement and the Domasław cemetery

TL;DR

This study compares ceramic vases from a Hallstatt period settlement and cemetery in Poland to understand their different uses.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel approach combining archaeological and chromatographic methods to distinguish vessel functions.

Findings

Chromatographic analysis identified different substances in funerary and domestic vessels.

Cluster analysis showed clear differences between grave and settlement ceramics.

The study supports the idea of varied functions for ceramic vases in the Hallstatt period.

Abstract

Clay vessels have a wide variety of functions in social activities in the Hallstatt period. In addition to food storage and processing, they were used for ritual purposes and as funerary vessels. The paper presents the results of archaeological and chromatographic studies of 31 vases from two different Hallstatt culture sites in lower Silesia (Poland). The investigations included vessels fragments from the Domasław cemetery and from the Milejowice settlement. The chromatographic analyses focused on fatty acids and biomarkers and made it possible to identify the most likely sources of substances they came into contact with during use. The c-means and hierarchical cluster analyses showed that grave vessels differed from settlement ceramics. Thus, conclusions on the diverse vessel functions could be made.

Figures