Clays of contention: An ethnoarchaeological study of factionalism and claycomposition

This ethnoarchaeological study examines sociopolitical constraints on tradi tional pottery production in Paradijon, southern Luzon, the Philippines. Fa ctionalism divided the potting community as it became involved in elite com petition and dictated that the two potting factions acquire clays from sour ces controlled by elite alliance partners. This study examines patterning i n instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) data in relationship to t he involvement of independent craft specialists in elite competition. Patte rning of INAA data at community and regional levels is found, illustrating the middle-range links between sociopolitical behavior of potters and patte rns in clay composition. INAA patterning among clay preparation areas appea rs dependent on whether a preparation area is in public or private space. R egionally, primary markets express INAA signals from both factions, whereas secondary markets reflect potter participation of a particular faction.