ABSTRACT
This chapter was written by a classical and Near Eastern archaeologist with experience in experimental archaeology and instrumental analyses of ceramic materials. Sarah Wisseman's essay grew out of a series of classroom lectures on ancient ceramic technology. It presents several methodological approaches to the study of ancient ceramic production, including traditional typology (grouping by shape, color, decoration, etc.), experimental archaeology (modern replication of ancient artifacts), and archae-ometry (instrumental analyses of ancient materials). Illustrative material is drawn from selected pottery and other ceramic artifacts produced by Greek, Etruscan, and Roman civilizations, and the evidence for size and organization of ceramic industries during different periods is discussed.
