From fabrics to island connections: Macroscopic and microscopic approaches to the prehistoric pottery of Antikythera

A. Pentedeka, E. Kiriatzi, L. Spencer & A. Bevan Annual of the British School at Athens 105 (2010): 1-81.

Abstract

An intensive archaeological survey covering the entire extent of the island of Antikythera has recently revealed a sequence of prehistoric activity spanning the later Neolithic to Late Bronze Age, with cultural affiliations that variously link its prehistoric communities with their neighbours to the north, south and east. Here we present and discuss the results of a programme of both macroscopic and petrographic study of the prehistoric ceramics from Antikythera that defines a considerably varied group of fabrics and explores their implications with regard to regional potting traditions, on-island production versus imports, and changing patterns of human activity on the island through time.