ABSTRACT
Ceramics are the foundation of chronological schemes of development. It is impossible to assess the processes of Korean state formation without an accurate ceramic chronology. Here, two schools of ceramic chronology are critiqued with reference to scientific advances in ceramic paste analysis and new kiln excavations. The two schools comprise those that postulate the beginnings of stoneware production around 1 ad and those who think it began in the 3rd century ad. These different views profoundly affect the interpretation of state formation processes, and other works must be read with this problem in mind. The author subscribes to the later dating system, which is used in subsequent chapters.
