A Study of the Centuries-Long Reliance on Local Ceramics in Jerash Through Full Quantification and Simulation

• DOI: 10.1007/s10816-021-09510-0
• Publication Date: 2021-02-18T22:47:45Z
• Authors: Iza Romanowska; Tom Brughmans; Philip Bes; Simon Carrignon; Line Egelund; Achim Lichtenberger; Rubina Raja
• Keywords: Dominance (genetics); Craft

Abstract The Danish-German Jerash Northwest Quarter Project revealed a robust and striking pattern of the extreme dominance (>99%) locally produced ceramics over six centuries across different depositional contexts (in total half million pottery sherds). archaeology points towards an exceptional degree self-sufficiency in craft products: why? project team implemented full quantification approach during excavation, manually digitally recording counting all other classes artefacts. This enabled analysis trends production use throughout archaeologically documented history unexpected local pottery. Archaeologists formulated set hypotheses to explain this pattern, we developed agent-based model simple customer preference driving product distribution evaluate several explanatory factors their potential interactions. Our simulation results reveal that for at might be plausible theory, but only if its intrinsic value was considered rather high comparison goods, or it preferred by majority population, there tendency follow (or combination these factors). Here, present complete research pipeline ceramics, modelling applicable any archaeological site. We argue transparent methods are necessary stages project: not data collection, management also theory development testing. By focusing on common material leveraging range widely available computational tools, able better understand intra-regional patterns products ancient eastern Mediterranean.