ABSTRACT

At the crossroad of archeology and experimental psychology, we addressed the issue of interindividual variability in traditional ceramic shapes. The goal was to explore whether such variability could imply potter signatures. We set up a field experiment with 5 expert Nepalese potters, asking them to produce 3 shapes (replicated 5 times). The 2D profiles of the experimental productions were analyzed with a shape analysis method borrowed from biology. In a complementary experiment focusing on shape discrimination, the participants were asked to visually identify their own productions and those of their colleagues. Results indicated that the potters produced slightly but significantly different shapes. We assume that during apprenticeship individuals developed their own motor skills, which reflect upon the finished products. Interpreting shape variability in terms of individuals could provide supplementary information on the social organization of the production, either for modern or ancient periods. As for shape discrimination, our preliminary results indicated that a few potters visually distinguished individual signatures. Those craftsmen could play a key role in the selection and evolution of the traditional ceramic shapes.

摘要

在考古学和实验心理学的交汇处，我们解决了传统陶瓷形状中个体差异的问题。目的是探索这种可变性是否暗示陶艺家的签名。我们与5位尼泊尔专业陶工进行了实地实验，要求他们制作3种形状（重复5次）。实验产品的2D轮廓通过生物学中使用的形状分析方法进行了分析。在针对形状辨别的补充实验中，要求参与者从视觉上识别自己和同事的作品。结果表明，陶工产生的形状略有不同，但差异很大。我们假设在学徒期间，个人发展了自己的运动技能，这反映了成品。解释个体的形状变异性可以提供有关现代或古代生产的社会组织的补充信息。至于形状辨别，我们的初步结果表明，一些陶工在视觉上可以区分出个人签名。这些工匠可以在传统陶瓷形状的选择和演变中发挥关键作用。