Objectives and motivations

The aim of this activity is to hold a one-week on-site seminar with teachers specialising in ceramic studies –essentially practical– especially in those productions situated in times of deep cultural change. Ceramics is part of material culture and is a key element in the knowledge of ancient societies. The production of ceramic objects is one of the oldest activities of mankind and has been practised in all parts of the world for millennia. Today, it is an indicator par excellence in archaeological contexts that supports social and cultural inferences at any site, regardless of space and time.

The study of ceramic typology and technology allows, among other things, to know the set of possibilities and technical procedures to transform the material that exists in nature into products, the chain of actions and relationships in the production process, technical knowledge, cultural traditions, innovation, transmission, adoption and technological variability, reconstruction of technological networks or operational chains, networks of local and regional interaction and at the same time, the relationship with the environment, control and management of resources (raw materials applying Archaeometry) that are linked to the economic, political and ideological sphere.

Finally, the aim of this International Doctoral Summer School is to:

(1) To show briefly some of the most widespread prisms in the study of ceramics.

(2) To make a technological and analytical approach to ceramics.

(3) To create a space for debate with the participation of researchers of international prestige.

(4) To bring this knowledge closer in a practical way by means of case studies.