BRONZE AGE CERAMICS: TECHNOLOGIES, TRADITIONS, AND REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

An article by V. G. Loman, “Technical and Technological Analysis of Ceramics from the Sites of the Fedorovo Culture of the Bronze Age in Central Kazakhstan,” has been published in the scientific journal “Archaeology of the Eurasian Steppes.”
The study focuses on the technology of ceramic production in the Fedorovo archaeological culture of the Bronze Age, whose sites are located in Central Kazakhstan.
As part of the research, materials from 17 archaeological sites in Central Kazakhstan were examined. For comparative analysis, vessels from the Lisakovsk 1 burial ground in Northern Kazakhstan were also included.
The researcher examined:
raw materials and the composition of ceramic pastes;
methods of vessel construction;
techniques for surface treatment;
firing characteristics and technologies used to increase the strength and water resistance of the vessels.
The comparative analysis revealed significant similarities between the technological traditions of Central and Northern Kazakhstan, including the choice of raw materials, recipes for ceramic pastes, and vessel manufacturing techniques. At the same time, regional differences were identified: crushed stone was more commonly used in Central Kazakhstan, while grog was more prevalent in the North.
Of particular importance are the conclusions concerning the initial construction stages of vessels. Container-based initial constructions may be considered one of the indicators of ceramics belonging to the Fedorovo culture, whereas vessels with base-container initial constructions are associated with the Alakul culture.
The findings expand our understanding of ancient production traditions among the population of Central Kazakhstan and provide a basis for further comparative studies of Bronze Age archaeological ceramics.
Loman V. G.
“Technical and Technological Analysis of Ceramics from the Sites of the Fedorovo Culture of the Bronze Age in Central Kazakhstan” // Archaeology of the Eurasian Steppes. 2026. No. 4. P. 104–117.
Q1, CiteScore 2026: 0.4
The full article is available via DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24852/2587-6112.2026.4.104.117