Ceramic Analysis

3 units

Methods, techniques, and models for analyzing archaeological ceramics. Students will learn how ceramic artifacts are used by archaeologists to reconstruct social practices in the past, including economics, politics, religion/ritual, migration, social organization, etc. Students will be trained in both qualitative and quantitative methods of analyzing ceramics and ceramic assemblages. While these methods are applicable to the archaeology of societies across the world, students will specifically conduct hands-on analyses of archaeological collections from the St. Louis/Midwestern U.S. region.