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As we traverse the chapters of human history, we often find ourselves captivated by architectural marvels, intricate writing systems, and dynamic social structures…
However, one of the profound markers of civilization, pottery production, often goes unnoticed.
This ancient craft not only represented an essential survival tool, but it also served as a symbol of artistic expression, a facet of economic prosperity, and a cultural identifier.
One civilization that manifested a deep connection with pottery was the ancient city of Akrotiri.
The scenic island of Thera, modern-day Santorini, once harbored this Bronze Age hub of ceramic artistry.
It contained historical artifacts dating back to the late fifteenth century BC.
Theran Pottery
Akrotiri’s pottery production was far from a mere hobbyist’s pursuit; it was a full-fledged industry pulsating at the heart of their society.
The extensive range of pottery artifacts, exhumed from the volcanic ashes that encapsulate the city, offer testimony to a civilization deeply steeped in the craft.
Raw, elemental ingredients like clay and water formed the nucleus of this thriving industry.
Theran artisans, with their masterful skills, manipulated these resources to create the base for their ceramic artifacts.
The existence of clay within the island’s fertile soils undoubtedly played a significant role in the genesis of Akrotiri’s Bronze Age ceramics.
Techniques and Tools
Ancient Greek pottery, which includes the works of the pre-Greek Akrotiri civilization, reveals a treasure trove of diverse techniques reflecting the expertise of the time.
Among the methods employed, wheel-throwing, an innovation dating back to around 3000 BC, found significant favor among Akrotiri potters.
This technique offered a level of precision and consistency that was critical for the mass production of pottery, underscoring the advanced nature of their industry.
But, the artistic repertoire of Theran artisans was not limited to wheel-throwing. Alongside it, hand-building techniques flourished, indicating a versatile skill set.
These methods imbued each pottery piece with a personal touch, fostering a greater degree of individual expression.
Shaping clay into elaborate pottery required a harmonious interplay of skilled hands, a potter’s wheel, and a variety of tools.
Paddles and scrapers were instrumental during the initial stages of pottery formation, aiding in shaping the clay and etching the basic form.
After setting the primary shape, smoothing stones were employed to refine the surface, eliminating any imperfections and preparing it for decoration.
The Theran Kiln: Crafting Durability
The final and transformative stage of pottery production was the firing process.
It was this stage that metamorphosed sun-dried, brittle pottery into hardened, durable forms.
Interestingly, Akrotiri showcased a unique approach to this process. Instead of using separate, standalone kilns, the Theran artisans integrated the kilns into their building walls.
This ingenious setup likely facilitated efficient space and heat utilization, reflecting the practical ingenuity of this Aegean civilization.
Fueling these kilns was wood, a resource readily available and relatively easy to ignite and maintain.
It was capable of generating the high temperatures necessary to transmute the clay into ceramic material.
The firing process was an exercise in precision, necessitating careful monitoring and control of the kiln temperature to ensure the pottery did not crack or warp and attained the desired robustness.
Artful Allure: Decorative Excellence
Functionality was a driving force behind pottery production in Akrotiri, but aesthetics were never compromised.
Theran pottery was decorated with an array of motifs, lending a unique visual appeal to each piece.
Geometric patterns were popular, along with detailed paintings of plants and animals that reflected the inhabitants’ intimate connection with nature.
This amalgamation of abstract patterns and lifelike imagery lent a distinctive charm to Theran pottery that continues to enchant researchers and enthusiasts.
Akrotiri Pottery: A Catalog of Diversity
The pottery artifacts excavated from Akrotiri depict a wide variety of types and forms.
Storage jars for grains and oils, pouring vessels, cooking pots, and drinking vessels – the repertoire was extensive.
This diversity was not an outcome of whimsical creativity alone; it revealed a pragmatic side.
Each pottery form served a specific purpose, bearing testimony to the Theran’s deep understanding of functionality, practicality, and usability in design.
A Time Capsule of a Lost Civilization
Each pottery artifact unearthed from Akrotiri serves as a window into the city’s lost culture and society.
The themes depicted, the forms chosen, the quality maintained – they all speak volumes about the values, preferences, and lifestyle of the Theran people.
Archaeological findings in Thera, especially the pottery, which were originally discovered in the 1860s, have become crucial narratives in piecing together the ancient world’s chronicles.
The Influence and Legacy of Akrotiri Pottery
The essence of ancient Akrotiri, immortalized in its pottery, continues to inspire and influence contemporary artists, potters, and historians.
The captivating elegance, combined with practicality and utility, has rendered Theran pottery a timeless spectacle of human creativity.
As we dive deeper into the study and appreciation of these ancient works, we are invariably drawn into an intimate conversation with our collective past.
ELTS Reading Answers
Questions 1-2
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
1 What does the writer say about items of pottery excavated at Akrotiri?
A There was very little duplication.
B They would have met a big variety of needs.
C Most of them had been imported from other places.
D The intended purpose of each piece was unclear.
Answer: B – They would have met a big variety of needs.
2 The assumption that pottery from Akrotiri was produced by specialists is partly based on
A the discovery of kilns.
B the central location of workshops.
C the sophistication of decorative patterns.
D the wide range of shapes represented.
Answer: D – the wide range of shapes represented.
Questions 3-6
Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-F, below.
Write the correct letter, A-F.
3 The assumption that standard units of weight were in use could be based on
Answer: A – the discovery of a collection of metal discs.
4 Evidence of the use of standard units of volume is provided by
Answer: E – marks found on wine containers.
5 The size of certain types of containers would have been restricted by
Answer: D – the physical characteristics of workmen.
6 Attempts to identify the intended capacity of containers are complicated by
Answer: C – variations in the exact shape and thickness of similar containers.
Answers | |
|---|---|
| A | The discovery of a collection of metal discs. |
| B | The size and type of the sailing ships in use. |
| C | Variations in the exact shape and thickness of similar containers. |
| D | The physical characteristics of workmen. |
| E | Marks found on wine containers. |
| F | The variety of commodities for which they would have been used. |
Questions 7-12
Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Reading Passage 3? Write:
| Answer | Description |
|---|---|
| YES | If the statement agrees with the claims of the writer |
| NO | If the statement contradicts the claims of the writer |
| NOT GIVEN | If it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this |
7 There are plans to excavate new areas of the archaeological site in the near future.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
8 Some of the evidence concerning pottery production in ancient Akrotiri comes from written records.
Answer: NO
9 Pots for transporting liquids would have held no more than about 20 litres.
Answer: YES
10 It would have been hard for merchants to calculate how much wine was on their ships.
Answer: NO
11 The capacity of containers intended to hold the same amounts differed by up to 20 percent.
Answer: YES
12 Regular trading of goods around the Aegean would have led to the general standardisation of quantities.
Answer: YES
Questions 13-14
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
13 What does the writer say about the standardisation of container sizes?
A Containers which looked the same from the outside often varied in capacity.
B The instruments used to control container size were unreliable.
C The unsystematic use of different types of clay resulted in size variations.
D Potters usually discarded containers which were of a non-standard size.
Answer: A – Containers which looked the same from the outside often varied in capacity.
14 What is probably the main purpose of Reading Passage 3?
A To evaluate the quality of pottery containers found in prehistoric Akrotiri.
B To suggest how features of pottery production at Akrotiri reflected other developments in the region.
C To outline the development of pottery-making skills in ancient Greece.
D To describe methods for storing and transporting household goods in prehistoric societies.
Answer: B – To suggest how features of pottery production at Akrotiri reflected other developments in the region.
Conclusion
Akrotiri may have been frozen in time due to a catastrophic volcanic eruption, but its legacy is as dynamic as ever.
The pottery production in Akrotiri, an integral part of the ancient city’s heart, continues to beat rhythmically in the form of the preserved artifacts.
These relics offer a tantalizing glimpse into a vibrant past, a bygone era where the pragmatism of survival harmoniously coexisted with the beauty of artistic expression.
This blend of practicality and aesthetics in pottery production serves as a testament to the sophistication, creativity, and resilience of the ancient Theran civilization.
As we admire these beautiful pieces of ancient Greek pottery, we are reminded of our profound connection with the past and its continuous influence on our present.
Where was pottery production in ancient Akrotiri?
Archeological findings in ancient Akrotiri. The Aegean coastal site of ancient Akrotiri, revealed through excavations, has provided a wealth of information about the technical intricacies of pottery-making, undeniably a cornerstone industry of this Greek locale.
What pottery was found at Akrotiri?
Most of the pottery discovered at Akrotiri is of local origin, originating around the late 15th century BC. Evidently, it catered to an extensive array of the community’s needs, with over fifty distinct pot designs identifiable.
How did the ancient people make pottery?
The ancient Greeks employed a tripartite firing technique involving a sequence of oxidation, reduction, and re-oxidation within the pottery kiln. This three-phase procedure was crucial to attain the shiny black sheen of the slip contrasting with the innate or enhanced hue of the clay.
