Pottery of the early Metal Age in the muniment Podolie-I in South Priladozhie

Abstract

В работе представлены результаты комплексного анализа коллекции керамики эпохи раннего металла, происходящей из раскопок археологического памятника Подолье-1 в Южном Приладожье (95 сосудов). С помощью традиционных и современных методов исследования описаны основные рецепты состава формовочных масс, некоторые навыки в формообразовании и орнаментальные традиции древних гончаров региона. В рассматриваемом керамическом комплексе выделено три основных группы сосудов со сходными признаками. Охарактеризована численно преобладающая группа керамики, составляющая основу комплекса. Глиняная посуда памятника Подолье-1 сопоставлена с описанными в литературе керамическими традициями, распространенными в эпоху раннего металла на территории соседней Финляндии и Карельского перешейка, Прибалтики, Карелии и Верхнего Поволжья. В ходе сопоставления полученных данных сделаны предварительные выводы как о значительном своеобразии керамики стоянки Подолье-1, так и о некотором сходстве ее с рядом синхронных групп и типов керамики лесной зоны Восточной Европы, в особенности, с пористой и асбестовой керамикой Карелии и волосовской керамикой Поволжья.

The study of various groups and types of Porous and Asbestos-tempered Early Metal Period ceramics from the Eastern Baltic region is of a great interest for exploring and reconstruction of complicated cultural and historical processes, which took part here at the end of the IV–III-rd millennium BC. The current article is devoted to the material of Podolje-1 archaeological site (South Ladoga region), which is situated in a contact zone among several regions of Eastern Europe forest zone – the territory of different archeological cultures. The site is unique as one of the first known peat site in Leningrad district with a thick cultural layer, which contains well-preserved organic and also ceramic shards.

Purpose: complex analysis of Early Metal Period ceramics from Podolje-1 archaeological site (95 vessels) by using modern and traditional methods; separation of different groups of vessels with similar characteristics and description of the main components of pottery traditions on the site; search for analogies of the described materials among known in the literature groups and types of ceramics from the bordering territories (Finland and Karelian Isthmus, Baltic countries, Karelia, Upper Volga region) to establish the degree of similarity of Podolje-1 ceramic vessels with them.

Results: After the above described analysis was completed and the main features of temper composition, vessel shape and ornamentation were summarized the following results were obtained. Firstly, there were described three main groups with different temper composition (organic admixture, temper of asbestos and chamotte), which were accompanied by differences in shape and decoration. The main role in the complex play the vessels, tempered with shell and/or feather with comb ornamentation and the rim slightly turned inwards. The peculiarities of asbestos-tempered ceramics are not so significant and lie in the specific qualities of the temper itself – it can also be characterized as a component of the same pottery tradition. At the same time, vessels tempered with chamotte seem to be quite different, maybe imported. As the predominate ceramic complex of porous and asbestos-tempered ceramics was compared with the materials of neighboring territories, one could conclude, that ceramics of Podolje-1 archaeological site cannot be attributed as the Late Comb Ware of Eastern Baltic region, because of the total absence of pits in its decoration. Slight similarity can be marked with the Porous ceramics of the Baltic countries, but most of all the complex of Podolje-1 resembles Porous and Asbestos-tempered ceramics of Karelia and the Upper Volga region – the Volosovo.

Conclusion: In case of obtained results we can conclude, that ceramic vessels of Podolje-1 seem to be alike with several pottery groups and types spread on the neighboring territories, but it is also characterized with a significant peculiarity – and the fact makes it impossible to attribute them definitely to any one certain type. The diversity of ceramics on Podolje-1 archaeological site and the multicomponent nature of the pottery tradition is of a great interest for the future more detailed investigation.