Florence Liard (Postdoctoral Researcher, Université Libre de Bruxelles) will give a lecture about “The knowledge, skills and traditions of ancient potters: Exploring the principles and potential of ceramic petrology in Greek archaeology.”
The detection of markers of “crisis”, which can be broadly defined as a deep social disruption followed by restructuring, is a research theme that has become popular in Greek archaeology. It has often been researched through a typo-stylistic study of decorated pottery, with the aim of reconstructing historical landmarks of past civilizations.
This lecture investigates the use of ceramic petrology over the past 35 years, through a comparative account of studies carried out in protohistoric (Late Bronze Age Crete) as well as historical contexts (Late Byzantine and Frankish Greece). Advances in sampling strategies and instrumentation are discussed in relation to the evolution of wider theoretical frameworks and research inquiries in the discipline of archaeology.
Dr. Liard will discuss how and to what extent ceramic petrology, albeit at the dawn of its development in this context, can provide further understanding of the phenomena of crisis and their local outcome on past populations’ lifestyles, through a detailed study of technological traditions associated with pottery production and use.