Greek Pottery
and its Archaeological Importance
The classical archaeologist relies to a great extent on pottery as important
evidence for reconstructing Greek life. In the study of all ceramic&endash;making
cultures, pottery is used as a chronological indicator because pottery shapes
and decoration change over time. The association of these changes with other
cultural phenomena or, in the case of the ancient Greeks, with specific datable
events allows the archaeologist to build a chronological framework of a culture.
Greek pottery also provides important documentation for many aspects of ancient
Greek life through painted scenes, especially on
Attic
Black and Red Figure vessels. A large number of these scenes illustrate
the myths and legends of the ancient Greeks. Through these we find an ancient
interpretation of the stories and a picture of how the ancient Greeks viewed
their deities. Because of the Greek painters' fondness for labeling individual
characters in a legend, we are able in some instances to piece together parts
of scenes from lost plays or obscure myths. Evidence for the way in which
Greek tragedy and comedy was staged is also available through vase representations.
Other depictions provide valuable information about dress and objects of everyday
life. Click here for
Pottery Images.
In studying Greek painted pottery, specialists look for identifying characteristics
of the potter or painter which might help to identify a body of works executed
by the same artist or workshop. In Attica, the tendency for potters and painters
to sign their works gives us a firm basis for the study of an artist's style
or preferred subject matter. By studying which potters and painters worked
together, specialists have been able to piece together information about the
time period in which these artists worked, their workshops and social status.
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Attic Red Figure Stamnos ca. 490 BC
By the Kleophrades Painter
On loan, Philadelphia Museum of Art
L-64-185
Heracles fighting the Nemean Lion.
After ruining all his weapons on the lion´s impervious hide, Heracles
must choke the monster to death. Afterwards he wears its skull as a helmet
and its skin for a cloak.
H. 33.5; L. 40.0; Dia. 30.0 cm. Photo courtesy Public Information Office,
Univ. of Pennsylvania Museum (132k) |
© Copyright 2002
