This introduction presents the aims and scope of the special issue “Pots in Transition: Resilience, Change, and Revival in Central Asia and Its Neighbourhood from the Perspective of Ceramics Research”. Bringing together studies spanning from the Bronze Age to the late medieval period, the volume reflects the chronological, geographical, and methodological diversity of current ceramic research in Central Asia and adjacent regions. The contributions combine archaeological, technological, and archaeometric perspectives to investigate ceramic production, circulation, consumption, use, and reuse. Beyond presenting new datasets, the volume seeks to foster comparative research, methodological exchange, and collaboration across scholarly traditions, while highlighting the potential of ceramics to address broader social, economic, technological, and cultural processes.
Baset Village, located in Battambang Province, northwest Cambodia, is home to a small sandstone temple built during the reign of the Angkorian King Suryavarman I in the 11th century CE. From 2018 to 2023, the Pteah Cambodia project excavated 26 trenches on 11 mounds across the site to better understand Angkorian life in provincial settings. Results reveal evidence for habitation dating back to the 3rd- 4th centuries CE through the Angkorian period (9-15th centuries CE) and likely into the post-Angkor period. Here we present the preliminary results from our excavation and archaeobotanical analyses. During the Pre-Angkor period, excavations reveal a variety of residential, craft production, and ritual activities. Population evidently increased after Suryavarman I's expansion into the region, which was accompanied by intensification of rice agriculture and palm cultivation. This demographic surge, however, was short-lived, as the intensity of rice cultivation appears to decrease by the 14th century CE. Overall, this work demonstrates the benefits of spatial sampling across a site to gain a deeper perspective on the growth and development of a provincial village over time.
Fluvial sediments in Eastern India hold rich archaeological deposits, Lower Palaeolithic to Neolithic artifacts. Traditionally, studies of these sediments relied on qualitative analysis of their stratigraphy and morphology. This article advocates for a shift towards a Quaternary paleosol-proxy-based approach that incorporates geochemical analysis of paleosols, arguing that these buried ancient soils offer a valuable record of past climates. This research presents the first attempt to utilize paleosol-based geochemical proxies for paleoenvironmental reconstruction in the region. Focusing on the Dulung River Valley of eastern India, the study analyses the geochemical properties of fluvial sediments associated with Acheulian and Microlithic artifacts. By examining major element ratios, molecular weathering-pedogenesis ratios, and derived paleo-mean Annual Temperature (MAT) and Precipitation (MAP) values, the study aims to reconstruct the area's paleoclimate inhabited by early hominins. Finally, the findings are compared with existing data from other parts of India to contribute to a broader understanding of the Quaternary climate of the subcontinent. This study paves the way for a more comprehensive approach to understanding the relationship between past human cultures, environmental changes, and the landscapes of Eastern India.
This study examines the functional and technological characteristics of quartz end-scrapers from Korean Paleolithic assemblages through experimental replication and use-wear analysis. Although quartz was one of the most frequently used raw materials in the Korean Paleolithic, its irregular fracture and reflective properties have long impeded detailed functional interpretation compared to flint.To address this issue, replicated quartz end-scrapers were experimentally used on hide, bone, antler, and wood under controlled conditions. Additional experiments on quartz scrapers and flakes were conducted to provide comparative data and to evaluate differences in use-wear formation among tool types.Microscopic observations using stereomicroscope, metallurgical microscope, confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) documented the formation of polish, striations, and edge-rounding. The experiments revealed that quartz develops wear traces more slowly than flint, yet distinctive patterns emerge with prolonged use. Soft animal materials produced smooth polish and fine striations, while hard materials generated bright, rough polish and micro-fractures.These results indicate that quartz, despite its physical limitations, was intentionally selected and technologically mastered by Paleolithic groups in Korea. The persistent use of quartz from the Middle to Late Paleolithic reflects an advanced understanding of its mechanical properties and adaptive tool-making strategies. This study establishes a methodological foundation for quartz use-wear analysis and provides new insights into the technological refinement and cultural continuity of Korean Paleolithic societies.
