Urkesh Ceramic Analysis

Categorization: Principles

Types and attributes

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Definition

The concept of type corresponds to the notion of roster, and that of attribute to the notion of lexicon; for further detail see the grammar.
Types are clusters of variables. For example, “dimensions” is a roster slot that allows for a number of different measurement ranges.
Attributes are the actual variants that correspond (in the case of “dimensions”) to specific ranges, e.g., large, small, etc. One will find below an overall chart that describes the system as a whole.

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System structure

The chart below outlines the overall structure of the system. Details about types are given in the following section. For details about attributes, see the pertinent section below.

        variants: attributes
variables: type ware family matrix paste porosity firing hardness fracture color inside color outside
inclusions temper color range          
manufacturing forming techniques exterior treatment interior treatment        
measurements max wall thickness maximum height maximum width weigh volume capacity  
shape family proportions closed h>w (jar) intermediate h=w (pot) open h<w (bowl)        
dimensions height range width range base range        
profile rim neck shoulder base      
appendages handles spouts          
decoration aspect painted incised excised applied      
location inside outside          
function generic access scooping pouring          
portability 2 hands 1 hand fingers fixed      
specific containment oil perfume fruit grain      
production salt cheese          
use cooking incense burning          

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Details of type

term example definition
type bevelled rim bowl a distinctive clustering of attributes, drawn from ware, shape and function
subtype conical cup 1 alternatives within type (e.g., same shape, alternative details of shape) see here
ware family chaff tempered a grouping of items sharing the same ware attributes see here
shape family miniature vessel a grouping of items sharing the same shape attributes see here
ware fine chaff tempered clustering of attributes pertaining to physical composition, manufacturing techniques, maximal measurements – predicated of any given sherd (see here)
shape double strand lower rounded rims clustering of attributes pertaining to proportions, profile, dimensions and appendages – predicated only of diagnostic sherds and complete vessels (see here)
function oil jar clustering of attributes pertaining to perception (generic function depending on how content is accessed or vessel is carried) and to use (specific function depending on what the vessel contains or serves to produce) – predicated only of complete (including reconstructible) vessels (see here)

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