Tine Schenck

Why Were They Pots?: an Experimental Perspective on the Introduction of Ceramics in Early Neolithic South Norway Tine Schenck

Pottery was introduced into South Norway in the Early Neolithic, around 4000 BCE. Ceramic pots arrived without the additional agriculture it is so commonly associated with in most of northern Europe. As it must be assumed that hunter-gatherers already had container technology for gathering and storage, the question posed by this thesis is why pottery was introduced into the material culture of such complex hunter-gatherers. Two aspects of pottery use are investigated: the utilitarian aspect is explored through functional experiments concerning storage, cooking and brewing beer. The symbolic aspect is considered in light of the experimental results and the recent developments in Early Neolithic Scandinavian and European research.