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Clay Vessels Made by the Chernyakhov Culture Potters as Imitations of Glass and Metal Prototypes: Problems of Method and Pottery Chronology (unpublished manuscript of 1984)

The problem of the Chernyakhov archeological culture items dating is the most challenging problem related to study of this culture. Usually finds of broaches, combs, various glass, metal or ceramic items are used for the Chernyakhov culture monuments dating. However, such finds often provide very broad dates. In this article it is suggested to date the Chernyakhov monuments on the basis of analysis and classification of the most massive material, i.e. pottery. This approach is based on the well-known facts: nowadays as well as in the distant past potters produced not only earthenware but also turned to imitation of glass and metal vessels that were in keen demand in their times. These imitation forms are employed as the basis for a more detailed dating. Analysis of more than 1000 vessels from 12 burial grounds and settlements of the Chernyaknov culture and of published imported the Roman time glass and metal products comprises the basis of the study. The author has distinguished 8 categories of vessels that imitated glass or metal proptotypes. Among these specimens of “original” imitations made directly on the basis of prototypes, in fact, copied the prototypes and specimens of “secondary” early and later imitations that reproduced specimens of original earthen imitations have been distinguished. An original system based on the mechanism of potters skills transfer from a generation to another generation by way of direct apprenticeship has been developed for relative dating of original and secondary imitations. In result it is possible to suggest rather narrow ranges (within 35 years) of dates for all distinguished imitation vessels. Authenticity of dating obtained has been checked by way of 250 comparisons of various categories imitated vessels taken from a single burial. The author proposes a new chronological scale of the Chernyakhov burial grounds and distinguishes three main periods of the Chernyakhov culture history