Technological Traditions of Ceramics Production of the Final Bronze Age Population in the Samara River Basin
Keywords:
Samara River basin, Zrubna cultural and historical community, Post-Zrubna type, Bohuslav-Bilozerska culture, Bronze Age, clay pastes, ceramics, hand-built pottery, handmade pottery.
Abstract
In the article, the following aspects of pottery production technology at the Late Bronze Age settlements in the Samara River basin are analysed: the formation of clay pastes and the method of vessel formation, surface treatment, and firing. An attempt is made to interpret the data, in particular, to trace certain clusters of settlements and their microchronology based on changes in the range of recipes used across different stratigraphic horizons. The study also considers the existence and distribution of pottery with a special firing that gave the vessels a white colour.
At the final stage of the Bronze Age, the Samara River basin area appeared to be relatively homogeneous in terms of the traditions of pottery production. With certain variants, the same recipes for clay pastes and methods of forming pottery were used. We can assume, with a high degree of probability, the existence of two chronological stages within the same culture, at least in one case stratigraphically and in one case planigraphically, and there are reasons to believe that some settlements have two horizons, the lower one containing a certain significant amount of ware with the addition of organic inclusions in the clay pastes, and the upper one without them.
Settlements with similar recipe complexes form noticeable clusters when mapped, and at the same time show approximately equal distances between clusters of settlements, which allows for a better assessment of the settlements’ resource zones boundaries.
The presence of unusual vessels with a white surface colour also allows us to trace the intensity of connections between clusters of settlements and the distances over which such products were distributed, although it is currently difficult to say how and for what purpose such pottery was distributed.
References
Berestnev, S. I. 1994. Poselenie Tarantsevo i vopros o naselenii Dneprovskogo Levoberezhia v nachale rannego zheleznogo veka. Rosiiskaia arkheologiia, 3, p. 121-138.
Bilynskyi, O. O., Yakhimovich, K. 2018. Economy of the Scythian Time Population in the Seym River Basin on the Results of Geoinformational Analysis of the Natural Conditions and Sites. Archaeology and Early History of Ukraine, 1 (26), p. 280-292.
Burov, G. M. 1993. Arkheologicheskie pamiatniki v basseine r. Volchei (po dannym 1952–1955 gg.). In: Toshchev, G. N., Shapovalov, G. I., Mikhailov, B. D. (ed.). Drevnosti stepnogo Prichernomoria i Kryma: sbornik nauchnykh trudov, 4. Zaporozhe: Zaporozhskii gosudarstvennyi universitet: Zaporozhskii oblastnoi kraevedcheskii muzei; Gosudarstvennyi istoriko-arkheologicheskii muzei-zapovednik «Kamennaia mogila», p. 231-249.
Gershkovich, Ia. P. 1998. Etnokulturnye sviazi v epokhu bronzy v svete khronologicheskogo sootnosheniia pamiatnikov (Nizhnee Podneprove — Severo-Vostochnoe Priazove — Podontsove). In: Kolesnik, A. V. (ed.). Arkheologicheskii almanakh, 7. Donetsk: Kitis. p. 61-92.
Holubchyk, L. M., Myshusta, O. V. 2019. Zvit pro arkheolohichnu rozvidku bilia okolytsi m. Pavlohrad na terytorii Troitskoi silskoi obiednanoi terytorialnoi hromady Pavlohradskoho raionu Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2019 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64, 2019/71.
Holubchyk, L. M., Myshusta, O. V 2020. Zvit pro arkheolohichni rozvidky na terytorii Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2020 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64, 2020/59.
Holubchyk, L. M., Filimonov, D. H., Myshusta, O. V. 2015. Zvit pro arkheolohichni rozvidky na terytorii Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2015 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64, 2015/21.
Holubchyk, L. M., Filimonov, D. H., Myshusta, O. V. 2016. Zvit pro arkheolohichni rozvidky na terytorii Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2016 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64.
Holubchyk, L. M., Filimonov, D. H., Myshusta, O. V. 2017. Zvit pro arkheolohichni rozvidky na terytorii Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2017 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64, 2017/74.
Holubchyk, L. M., Filimonov, D. H., Myshusta, O. V. 2018. Zvit pro arkheolohichni rozvidky na terytorii Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2018 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64, 2018/21.
Gorbov, V. N. 1996. Final bronzovogo veka Severo-Vostochnogo Priazovia i nekotorye problemy regionalnykh razlichii. In: Gorbov, V. N. (ed.). Severo-Vostochnoe Priazove v sisteme evraziiskikh drevnostei (eneolit — bronzovyi vek): materialy mezhdunar. konf., 2. Donetsk, p. 13-21.
Gorodtsov, V. A. 1910. Bytovaia arkheologiia. Kurs lektsii, chitannykh v Moskovskom Arkheologicheskom Institute. Moskva: Izd-vo Mosk. Arkheol. In-ta.
Denisova, A. A. 2005 K probleme vzaimootnoshenii kultur epokhi bronzy na territorii Donetskogo regiona. In: Otroshchenko, V. V. (ed.). Na poshanu Sofii Stanislavivny Berezanskoi (zbirka naukovykh prats). Kyiv: Shliakh, p. 181-189.
Denisova, A. A. 1996. Tekhnologiia izgotovleniia keramiki na poselenii Kapitanovo I. Dono-Donetskii region v sisteme drevnostei epokhi bronzy Vostochnoevropeiskoi stepi i lesostepi, 2, p. 19-22.
Dergachev, V. A. 1973. Pamiatniki epokhi bronzy. In: Ketratu, N. A. (ed.). Arkheologicheskaia karta Moldavskoi SSSR, 3. Kishinev: Shtiintsa.
Kovalova, I. F. 1972. Rozvidka horishnoi techii r. Samara. Arkheolohichni doslidzhennia na Ukraini v 1969 r., IV, p. 332-336.
Korokhina, A. V. 2016. Opredelenie retseptov formovochnykh mass keramiki Subotovskogo gorodishcha. In: Gershkovich, Ia. P. Subotovskoe gorodishche. Kyiv: Institut arkheologii NANU, p. 503-506.
Korokhina, A. 2020. Petrohrafichni doslidzhennia arkheolohichnoi keramiky u 2019. Arkheolohichni doslidzhennia v Ukraini v 2019 rotsi, p. 387-388.
Kosareva, A. A. 1979 Keramika poselenyia srubnoi kultury v urochishche Usovo Ozero na Severskom Dontse. Moruzhenko A. A. (ed.) Problemy epokhi bronzy Iugo-Vostochnoi Evropy. Tez. dokl. Donetsk, 3-6 dekabria 1979 g., Donetsk: b/v., p. 73-74.
Lukiashko, S. I. 1999. Predskyfskii period na Nizhnem Donu. In: Horbenko, A. A. (ed.). Donskie drevnosti, 7. Azov: Azov Museum of Local History, M-vo kultury Rostov. obl.
Maryna, Z. P., Romashko, V. A., Severyn, A. B. 1995. Kurhany epokhy bronzy u s. Bohdanovka v Prysamare. In: Kovaleva, I. F. (ed.). Problemy arkheolohii Podneprovia. Dnepropetrovsk: DHU, p. 35-63.
Maryna, Z. P., Romashko, V. A., Feshchenko, E. L., Voitiuk, P. V. 1990. Kurhannyi mohylnyk u s. Verbky. In: Kovaleva, I. F. (ed.). Issledovanyia po arkheolohii Podneprovia. Dnepropetrovsk: DHU, p. 22-38.
Myshusta, O. V. 2019. Zvit pro arkheolohichni rozvidky na terytorii Petropavlivskoho raionu Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2019 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64, 2019/67.
Myshusta, O. V. 2020. Zvit pro arkheolohichnu rozvidku na terytorii Petropavlivskoi selyshchnoi obiednanoi terytorialnoi hromady Petropavlivskoho raionu Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2020 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64, 2020/25.
Morkovina, I. V. 1988. Poselenie u sela Bogdanovka na r. Samare. In: Artemenko, I. I. (ed.). Arkheologicheskie pamiatniki Podneprovia v sisteme drevnostei Vostochnoi Evropy. Dnepropetrovsk: DGU, p. 73-81.
Otroshchenko, V. V. 1986. Belozerskaia kultura. In: Artemenko, I. I. (ed.). Kultury epokhi bronzy na territorii Ukrainy. Kyiv: Naukova dumka, p. 117-152.
Probyiholova, O. S. 2017. Naselennia nyzhnoi techii Siverskoho Dontsia ta Donetskoho kriazhu u zakliuchnyi period doby piznoi bronzy. Dissertation abstract by Ph.D., Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Probyiholova, O. S., Krasylnikov, K. I. 2015 Honcharni pechi finalu doby bronzy na Donetskomu kriazhi. Arheologia, 2, p. 34-45.
Romashko, V. A. 2013a. Naselenie zakliuchitelnogo etapa pozdnego bronzovogo veka Levoberezhnoi Ukrainy (po materialam boguslavsko-belozerskoi kultury). Dissertation of Doctor of Historical Sciences. Dnipropetrovsk National University, Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Romashko, V. A. 2013b. Naselenie zakliuchitelnogo etapa pozdnego bronzovogo veka Levoberezhnoi Ukrainy (po materialam boguslavsko-belozerskoi kultury). Kyiv: Vidavnychyi Dіm «Skіf».
Terenozhkin, A. I. 1961. Predskifskii period na dneprovskom Pravoberezhe. Kiїv: AN USSR.
Terenozhkin, A. I. 1965. Osnovy khronologii predskifskogo perioda. Sovetskaia arkheologiia, 1, p. 63-85.
Cherniakov, I. T. 1985. Severo-Zapadnoe Prichernomore vo vtoroi polovine II tys. do n.e. Kyev: Naukova dumka.
Sharafutdinova, E. S. 1980. Pamiatniki predskifskogo vremeni na Nizhnem Donu (kobiakovskaia kultura). SAI, B1–11. Leningrad: Nauka.
Brassel, K., Reif, D. 1979. A Procedure to Generate Thiessen Polygons. Geographical Analysis, 11 (3), p. 289-303.
Korokhina, A. Forthcoming. (w. y.). Notes on the Cultural Process in the Late Bronze Age Final Stage in Eastern Ukraine. Insights from Ceramic Technology. Old Potters’ Almanac.
Korokhina, A., Butskyi, I. 2023. Approaching the Ceramic Technology of the Late Bronze Age Settlement of Hlyboke Ozero-2 in Eastern Ukraine: Preliminary Results. In: Diaconu, V., Gafincu, A. (eds.). The Bronze Age in the Northern Black Sea Area. Multidisciplinary Studies (Bibliotheca memoriae antiquitatis XLVII). Braila; Piatra; Neamt: Neamt National Museum Complex, p. 291-319.
Molera, J., Pradell, T. , Vendrell-Saz, M. 1998. The Colours of Carich Ceramic Pastes: Origin and Characterization. Applied Clay Science, 13/3, p. 187-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-1317(98)00024-6
Roux, V. 2019. Ceramics and Society: A Technological Approach to Archaeological Assemblages. Cham; Switzerland: Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03973-8_1
Bilynskyi, O. O., Yakhimovich, K. 2018. Economy of the Scythian Time Population in the Seym River Basin on the Results of Geoinformational Analysis of the Natural Conditions and Sites. Archaeology and Early History of Ukraine, 1 (26), p. 280-292.
Burov, G. M. 1993. Arkheologicheskie pamiatniki v basseine r. Volchei (po dannym 1952–1955 gg.). In: Toshchev, G. N., Shapovalov, G. I., Mikhailov, B. D. (ed.). Drevnosti stepnogo Prichernomoria i Kryma: sbornik nauchnykh trudov, 4. Zaporozhe: Zaporozhskii gosudarstvennyi universitet: Zaporozhskii oblastnoi kraevedcheskii muzei; Gosudarstvennyi istoriko-arkheologicheskii muzei-zapovednik «Kamennaia mogila», p. 231-249.
Gershkovich, Ia. P. 1998. Etnokulturnye sviazi v epokhu bronzy v svete khronologicheskogo sootnosheniia pamiatnikov (Nizhnee Podneprove — Severo-Vostochnoe Priazove — Podontsove). In: Kolesnik, A. V. (ed.). Arkheologicheskii almanakh, 7. Donetsk: Kitis. p. 61-92.
Holubchyk, L. M., Myshusta, O. V. 2019. Zvit pro arkheolohichnu rozvidku bilia okolytsi m. Pavlohrad na terytorii Troitskoi silskoi obiednanoi terytorialnoi hromady Pavlohradskoho raionu Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2019 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64, 2019/71.
Holubchyk, L. M., Myshusta, O. V 2020. Zvit pro arkheolohichni rozvidky na terytorii Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2020 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64, 2020/59.
Holubchyk, L. M., Filimonov, D. H., Myshusta, O. V. 2015. Zvit pro arkheolohichni rozvidky na terytorii Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2015 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64, 2015/21.
Holubchyk, L. M., Filimonov, D. H., Myshusta, O. V. 2016. Zvit pro arkheolohichni rozvidky na terytorii Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2016 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64.
Holubchyk, L. M., Filimonov, D. H., Myshusta, O. V. 2017. Zvit pro arkheolohichni rozvidky na terytorii Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2017 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64, 2017/74.
Holubchyk, L. M., Filimonov, D. H., Myshusta, O. V. 2018. Zvit pro arkheolohichni rozvidky na terytorii Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2018 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64, 2018/21.
Gorbov, V. N. 1996. Final bronzovogo veka Severo-Vostochnogo Priazovia i nekotorye problemy regionalnykh razlichii. In: Gorbov, V. N. (ed.). Severo-Vostochnoe Priazove v sisteme evraziiskikh drevnostei (eneolit — bronzovyi vek): materialy mezhdunar. konf., 2. Donetsk, p. 13-21.
Gorodtsov, V. A. 1910. Bytovaia arkheologiia. Kurs lektsii, chitannykh v Moskovskom Arkheologicheskom Institute. Moskva: Izd-vo Mosk. Arkheol. In-ta.
Denisova, A. A. 2005 K probleme vzaimootnoshenii kultur epokhi bronzy na territorii Donetskogo regiona. In: Otroshchenko, V. V. (ed.). Na poshanu Sofii Stanislavivny Berezanskoi (zbirka naukovykh prats). Kyiv: Shliakh, p. 181-189.
Denisova, A. A. 1996. Tekhnologiia izgotovleniia keramiki na poselenii Kapitanovo I. Dono-Donetskii region v sisteme drevnostei epokhi bronzy Vostochnoevropeiskoi stepi i lesostepi, 2, p. 19-22.
Dergachev, V. A. 1973. Pamiatniki epokhi bronzy. In: Ketratu, N. A. (ed.). Arkheologicheskaia karta Moldavskoi SSSR, 3. Kishinev: Shtiintsa.
Kovalova, I. F. 1972. Rozvidka horishnoi techii r. Samara. Arkheolohichni doslidzhennia na Ukraini v 1969 r., IV, p. 332-336.
Korokhina, A. V. 2016. Opredelenie retseptov formovochnykh mass keramiki Subotovskogo gorodishcha. In: Gershkovich, Ia. P. Subotovskoe gorodishche. Kyiv: Institut arkheologii NANU, p. 503-506.
Korokhina, A. 2020. Petrohrafichni doslidzhennia arkheolohichnoi keramiky u 2019. Arkheolohichni doslidzhennia v Ukraini v 2019 rotsi, p. 387-388.
Kosareva, A. A. 1979 Keramika poselenyia srubnoi kultury v urochishche Usovo Ozero na Severskom Dontse. Moruzhenko A. A. (ed.) Problemy epokhi bronzy Iugo-Vostochnoi Evropy. Tez. dokl. Donetsk, 3-6 dekabria 1979 g., Donetsk: b/v., p. 73-74.
Lukiashko, S. I. 1999. Predskyfskii period na Nizhnem Donu. In: Horbenko, A. A. (ed.). Donskie drevnosti, 7. Azov: Azov Museum of Local History, M-vo kultury Rostov. obl.
Maryna, Z. P., Romashko, V. A., Severyn, A. B. 1995. Kurhany epokhy bronzy u s. Bohdanovka v Prysamare. In: Kovaleva, I. F. (ed.). Problemy arkheolohii Podneprovia. Dnepropetrovsk: DHU, p. 35-63.
Maryna, Z. P., Romashko, V. A., Feshchenko, E. L., Voitiuk, P. V. 1990. Kurhannyi mohylnyk u s. Verbky. In: Kovaleva, I. F. (ed.). Issledovanyia po arkheolohii Podneprovia. Dnepropetrovsk: DHU, p. 22-38.
Myshusta, O. V. 2019. Zvit pro arkheolohichni rozvidky na terytorii Petropavlivskoho raionu Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2019 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64, 2019/67.
Myshusta, O. V. 2020. Zvit pro arkheolohichnu rozvidku na terytorii Petropavlivskoi selyshchnoi obiednanoi terytorialnoi hromady Petropavlivskoho raionu Dnipropetrovskoi oblasti u 2020 r. Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology, the NAS of Ukraine, f. 64, 2020/25.
Morkovina, I. V. 1988. Poselenie u sela Bogdanovka na r. Samare. In: Artemenko, I. I. (ed.). Arkheologicheskie pamiatniki Podneprovia v sisteme drevnostei Vostochnoi Evropy. Dnepropetrovsk: DGU, p. 73-81.
Otroshchenko, V. V. 1986. Belozerskaia kultura. In: Artemenko, I. I. (ed.). Kultury epokhi bronzy na territorii Ukrainy. Kyiv: Naukova dumka, p. 117-152.
Probyiholova, O. S. 2017. Naselennia nyzhnoi techii Siverskoho Dontsia ta Donetskoho kriazhu u zakliuchnyi period doby piznoi bronzy. Dissertation abstract by Ph.D., Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Probyiholova, O. S., Krasylnikov, K. I. 2015 Honcharni pechi finalu doby bronzy na Donetskomu kriazhi. Arheologia, 2, p. 34-45.
Romashko, V. A. 2013a. Naselenie zakliuchitelnogo etapa pozdnego bronzovogo veka Levoberezhnoi Ukrainy (po materialam boguslavsko-belozerskoi kultury). Dissertation of Doctor of Historical Sciences. Dnipropetrovsk National University, Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Romashko, V. A. 2013b. Naselenie zakliuchitelnogo etapa pozdnego bronzovogo veka Levoberezhnoi Ukrainy (po materialam boguslavsko-belozerskoi kultury). Kyiv: Vidavnychyi Dіm «Skіf».
Terenozhkin, A. I. 1961. Predskifskii period na dneprovskom Pravoberezhe. Kiїv: AN USSR.
Terenozhkin, A. I. 1965. Osnovy khronologii predskifskogo perioda. Sovetskaia arkheologiia, 1, p. 63-85.
Cherniakov, I. T. 1985. Severo-Zapadnoe Prichernomore vo vtoroi polovine II tys. do n.e. Kyev: Naukova dumka.
Sharafutdinova, E. S. 1980. Pamiatniki predskifskogo vremeni na Nizhnem Donu (kobiakovskaia kultura). SAI, B1–11. Leningrad: Nauka.
Brassel, K., Reif, D. 1979. A Procedure to Generate Thiessen Polygons. Geographical Analysis, 11 (3), p. 289-303.
Korokhina, A. Forthcoming. (w. y.). Notes on the Cultural Process in the Late Bronze Age Final Stage in Eastern Ukraine. Insights from Ceramic Technology. Old Potters’ Almanac.
Korokhina, A., Butskyi, I. 2023. Approaching the Ceramic Technology of the Late Bronze Age Settlement of Hlyboke Ozero-2 in Eastern Ukraine: Preliminary Results. In: Diaconu, V., Gafincu, A. (eds.). The Bronze Age in the Northern Black Sea Area. Multidisciplinary Studies (Bibliotheca memoriae antiquitatis XLVII). Braila; Piatra; Neamt: Neamt National Museum Complex, p. 291-319.
Molera, J., Pradell, T. , Vendrell-Saz, M. 1998. The Colours of Carich Ceramic Pastes: Origin and Characterization. Applied Clay Science, 13/3, p. 187-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-1317(98)00024-6
Roux, V. 2019. Ceramics and Society: A Technological Approach to Archaeological Assemblages. Cham; Switzerland: Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03973-8_1
Abstract views: 187 PDF Downloads: 88
Published
2026-03-15
Issue
Section
On the History of Ancient Crafts
Copyright (c) 2026 Arheologia
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license
