Specialization of pottery production in Middle Neolithic Western Liaoning

Abstract

This paper discusses the specialization of pottery production during the Middle Neolithic period in Western Liaoning based on the excavations of the Zhaobaogou, Silengshan, and Shangjifangyingzi sites. Through the analysis of direct and indirect evidence, we believe that a “household industry” and an “individual workshop industry” are the modes of pottery production in this period. Because these modes are similar, it is difficult to distinguish them through differences in archaeological remains, so these modes can be collectively referred to as the “household specialized industry.” During this period, it is possible that the main organizational mode of pottery production changed from a “household industry” to an “individual workshop industry.” In addition, there was a diachronic evolution of the social background of production and the identity of the producers. However, this diachronic process consistently maintained a low-intensity, partially due to the fact that these modes of production are small-scale and part-time.