essay

The ceramic evidence for sociopolitical organization in 'Ubaid southwestern Iran

chiefdoms and early states in the near east : the organizational dynamics of complexity • (18) • Published In 1994 • Pages: 23-33

By: Berman, Judith C..

Abstract

Berman's article investigates the organizational or broadly cultural meaning of the remarkable homogenity of pottery styles during the 'Ubaid period and their surprisingly long duration. In her article she examines the loci of manufacture, the process of distribution, and the modes of manufacture of ceramics as an indication of societal functioning and dynamics during the 'Ubaid. In particular, Berman asks whether 'Ubaid pottery is locally produced or centrally manufactured and then supplied some distance to a variety of consumers. If high status ceramics were centrally produced by chiefs and then redistributed to local elites as badges of rank, then one would expect to find a single chemical composition for all such ceramics buried with the Suse phase elites. Instead, however, Berman's neutron activation analysis shows great heterogeneity in these elite wares, implying that chiefly centers did not control pottery production in the surrounding countryside. This combination of stylistic uniformity and compositional variability suggests that the social landscape of the terminal 'Ubaid consisted of numerous politically independent groupings unified by a shared ideological system (p, 23).

HRAF PubDate

2000

Region

Middle East

Sub Region

Middle East

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle ; 2006

Field Date

no date

Coverage Date

7500-6000 BP (5500-4000 BC)

Coverage Place

southwestern Iran

Notes

Judith Berman

Includes bibliographical references (p. 30-33)

LCCN

94010284

LCSH

Ubaid culture