Recent discoveries of mat imprints on pottery from Cucuteni–Cetăţuie (Iași County, Romania). Thoughts and experimental tests on the use of braided supports in forming prehistoric ceramics
Recent discoveries of mat imprints on pottery from Cucuteni–Cetăţuie (Iași County, Romania). Thoughts and experimental tests on the use of braided supports in forming prehistoric ceramics

Summary/Abstract: In the context of the resumption of archaeological excavations in the eponymous site of the Cucuteni culture, the investigation of a burnt dwelling from the Cucuteni B1 subphase provided some unique observations on the architecture and internal organization of the construction. At the same time, it led to the retrieval of a rich archaeological material, sprinkled with various “surprises”. Of these, on this occasion we turn our attention to three fragments of pot bases that retain the imprint of woven mats. The observations made on the basis of these discoveries and similar ones from the Cucuteni-Trypillia settlements allowed us to formulate hypotheses regarding the use of textiles in certain stages of the technological chain of ceramic manufacture, possibly in association with a rotating device, precursor of the potter’s wheel. These innovations, along with the generalization and refinement of bicameral pottery kilns, are part of a trend of efficiency and standardization visible in the potter’s craft, starting with the Cucuteni B1/Trypillia C1 phase, a consequence of a significant population growth. Several experimental tests have also been performed, on how to form and cover such impressions with fresh clay, as well as the potential for such behaviour to provide clues regarding the modelling duration of a large vessel.

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