The Beauty of "Ugly" Eskimo Cooking Pots

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2008

Publication Title

American Antiquity

Volume

73

Issue

1

First page number:

103

Last page number:

120

Abstract

Arctic Alaskan ceramics offer several interpretive challenges for the archaeologist. In contrast to most cross-cultural patterns, these cooking vessels were produced by hunter-gatherers living in a cool and humid environment and were used to cook meat rather than starchy seeds. Additionally, when compared to cooking vessels and techniques from other areas of the world, their shapes and textures are atypical and appear poorly suited for their intended use. At first impression, these vessels might appear to reflect simply a lack of technological expertise. However, we argue that when considered in relation to the local social and environmental context under which these vessels were produced and used, these apparent contradictions can be understood.

Disciplines

Archaeological Anthropology

Language

English

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