CARINATED POTTERY: DVARAVATI TECHNOLOGY IN CENTRAL THAILAND

Abstract

This paper presents aspects of carinated pots of the Dvaravati period; 15 sites and 128 samples from Central Thailand were petro graphically analyzed. Examination of potsherd components was conducted with two major objectives: 1) understanding carinated pot manufacturing processes with a focus on raw materials, tempering, forming techniques, surface finishing methods, and firing; 2) understanding the relationships among Dvaravati communities in Central Thailand. The result showed that the potteries are earthenware, made of local clay, and of two different tempers: 1) an inclusion group: sand, sand and organic matter (rice chaff or husks), and sand, grog and husks; 2) a group that contained only natural inclusion - natural soil. The carinated pots were formed by wheel-throwing and free-hand forming techniques using a clay anvil. As for the surface finishing, the pots were decorated using a variety of techniques including polishing or burnishing, smoothening, cord-marking, slipping and black burnishing. The firing temperatures of the pottery ranged from 400 to 550 degrees Celsius. The samples also illustrate homogeneity and standardization within the region and also in relation to other regions