Anthropological interpretations from archaeological ceramic studies: An introduction

For decades, ceramic analysis has been widely used in archaeological resear ch of the American Southwest but several recent ceramic studies have gone w ell beyond classification and material sourcing to examine the social relat ionships among ceramic exchange, production, and complexity. Presented here are studies from Classic period (A.D.. 1270-1450) sites of central Arizona that focus on prehistoric social relationships among communities during ti mes of population movement and aggregation. These recent research projects have made significant interpretive strides by examining ceramic change as a n indicator of exchange pattern modifications and population shifts. These studies establish substantial databases of ceramic analyses and integrate r esults from complementary research methods to develop and test models of so cial interaction.