The challenge of 'technological choices' for materials science approaches in archaeology

Recently several anthropological and sociological studies have interpreted technologies as cultural choices that are determined as much by local perce ptions and the social context as any material constraints or purely functio nal criteria. Using the example of ceramic technology we consider how mater ials science studies can contribute to and benefit from this understanding of technology as a social construct. Although we acknowledge some potential difficulties, it is our contention that both materials scientists and arch aeologists have gained much and have much to gain by cooperating together t o study ancient technologies, and that the concept of 'technological choice s' can facilitate a wider consideration of the factors shaping technologica l developments.