Some archaeologists view the bloating in these jars as a fault. But they might not be. The bloating could have been their way of gauging the maximum density (and thus water tightness) at which the terra cotta clay can be fired without warping or sagging.
That being said, Brian Weibe offered a more down-to-earth explanation. This form began in the Hellenistic period, 2nd century BCE. Although potters could make exquisite hand-burnished ware (Eastern Terra Sigillata), making these store jars was all about efficiency. The 'utility' clay was augmented with sawdust and any industrial combustible (and probably hastily mixed by foot as they do today in Palestinian potteries in the West Bank hill country) to assure fast maturity with minimal time or fuss. The result is a genre that is easy to spot (by these barbaric throw lines and little attention to symmetry or style. They were easily broken and needed to be replaced inexpensively.
| Troubles |
Bloating
Bloating occurs when the off-gassing of decomposing particles in a body has not been completed by the onset of density and impermeability associated with vitrification or overfiring. |
| Glossary |
Primitive Firing
The use of some traditional firing techniques is still popular among modern potters and sculptors (who are accustomed electric and gas kilns, often with computer controllers). |
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