Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia 39 (4) 2011

Annotation:  The Upper Paleolithic Site of Dodekatym-2 in Uzbekistan Daggers from the Fofonovo Burial Ground in the Collection of the Museum of the Buryat Scientifi c C Hundidero: MIS 4 Open Air Neanderthal Occupations in Sierra de Atapuerca Absolute and Relative Chronology and Cultural Attribution of Neolithic Sites in the Kulunda Steppe Technological Analysis of Ceramics from Early Sarmatian Burials in the Southwestern Urals Archaeological Studies of the Kamenny Ambar (Olgino) Fortifi ed Settlement Silver Dish with Fighting Scenes from the Lower Ob Region Lacquer Cups of the Western Han Dynasty (Noin Ula, Mongolia): An Analysis of Inscriptions Tinder Bag with a Chinese Inscription Ancient Agriculture in Western Siberia: Problems of Argumentation, Paleoethnobotanic Methods, and A Red Marals at Satakular in the Alai The “Kirghiz Frontier” and the Frontier Volosts of the Tomsk Uyezd in the 17th Century: Formulation Sacred Space and the Art of its Representation in the Ethnic Culture of Northern Asia: Artifacts of Pottery Making in the Village of Balkhar, Dagestan The Diet of Siberian Peasants on Lenten Days (the 19th Century) Craniometric Characteristics of the Ust-Ishim People (the Southern Taiga Part of the Irtysh Basin,   

Pottery Making in the Village of Balkhar, Dagestan

N.Yu. Petrova.

The article presents ethnographic data on archaic pottery produced in Balkhar village located in the Akushinsky Region of the Republic of Dagestan. A range of products and equipment used at different stages of production are described. The article reviews the raw materials and technologies used in the production of pottery as well as methods of further processing and decoration. The article also gives a description of fi ring in the kiln conducted jointly by several female potters. Data from folklore is provided on the origins of pottery production in Balkhar village and information included on certain ritual activities associated with pottery making.

Keywords: Balkhar village, women’s pottery trade, potter’s wheel, ceramics, constructional technology, potter’s kiln, fi ring.