2012.91.8, painted jar, low-fired pottery; 2400–2000 B.C.
Eason Eige Collection; photo by B. Bernard
2012.91.8, painted jar, low-fired pottery; 2400–2000 B.C.
Eason Eige Collection; photo by B. Bernard
This jar was built with the potter's hands, not on a wheel. It is from the Machang phase of the Majiayao culture, making it the later of the two jars in the challenge on the previous page.
Why were Majiayao pots less carefully painted through time? According to one hypothesis, increased use of pottery offerings in burials led to increased demand for pots. In turn, the potters increased production by spending less time on painting their pots. If this is true, it raises a new question: why were people putting more pottery in burials? They may have been concerned with "keeping up with the Joneses" as Majiayao society became more socially competitive. By asking such questions, and then testing potential answers with actual data, archaeologists tease apart the structure of early cultures.
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