Local Ceramics and Society during the Rajarata Civilization: Case Studies from Kantharodai, Mantai (Mahatittha), and Kirinda in Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Ceramics (pottery) were a basic household commodity in all pre-modern societies. Demand for utilitarian and luxury wares increased with the evolution of societies over time. This led to the advancement of technology and the diversification of pottery crafts, and hence, the analysis of pottery is likely to provide insights into the various aspects of societies in the past. A total of 42082 sherds representing 28 different wares recovered from three key historic sites, namely, Kantharodai, Mantai (Mahatittha), and Kirinda that existed during the Rajarata civilisation of Sri Lanka, were analysed using standard methodology published in literature. Local wares were identified based on published material and ethnographic studies. All three assemblages were quantified and described following a slightly modified version of the methods described by Kennet in 2004. The ceramic assemblages from these three sites date from the second to the twelfth/thirteenth centuries CE - the entire length of the Rajarata civilisation. These assemblages illustrate significant variations in potting attributes such as technology, typology, inclusions, and decorations. Crosscutting these variations, however, there are also striking similarities, such as surface treatment and decorations in these assemblages. Therefore, the key research question investigated in this research is: What factors contributed to these similarities and differences found across assemblages over time and space? The analysis of ceramics from these sites illustrates that the dissimilarities observed are likely to have arisen due to the production of ceramics at multiple production sites that lacked standard technology and differences in potting traditions. Trade and exchange of ceramics and transfer of technology through intermarriages among closely knit blood relations likely contributed to the similarities observed across assemblages. The composition of the ceramic assemblages varied across sites over time, while certain ceramics were preferred across regions. The analysis of local ceramics shed light on aspects of society unknown from historical sources during the Rajarata civilisation.