This third volume of the BEFIM series addresses the life history of
vessels from the Early Celtic hillfort settlements of Heuneburg and
Vix-Mont Lassois, from a detailed examination of the manufacturing
process to the use and modifications of the final products. Pivotal was
an extensive experimental program of dozens of experiments directed at a
better understanding of the way this pottery was made and used.
The participation of an experienced potter allowed us to reproduce exact
replicas of the different wares and explore in detail the traces of
production and the effect of temper, baking temperature and so forth on
the development of production traces and wear. Especially variations in
the temper material, like the frequently observed addition of calcite in
the archaeological pottery, strongly affected the characteristics of the
use wear traces that subsequently developed from the preparation of
different products (grape wine, honey wine, different kinds of porridge
etc.).
The effect of alcohol production, including fermentation, on the pottery
was also explored. We also tested the effect of different gestures of
preparing food and drink (mixing, stirring, pounding), different ways of
storage and handling, and the manner of consumption like decanting using
various kinds of utensils.
The traces we observed on the experimental vessels, using an integrated
low and high power approach, formed the basis for our interpretation of
the archaeological wares from the Heuneburg and Vix-Mont Lassois. Our
data on the life history of the pottery added to a more detailed insight
into foodways, including drinking habits, of the Early Celtic
communities of Central Europe. This book presents in detail the
experimental program and the archaeological observations.
