Mmopi le Mmopa: making pottery in Botswana today and c. 1000 years ago

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Periodical article

Title:	Mmopi le Mmopa: making pottery in Botswana today and c. 1000 years ago
Authors:	Thebe, Phenyo Wilmsen, Edwin Killick, David Rosenstein, Dana Drake
Year:	2009
Periodical:	Botswana Notes and Records (ISSN 0525-5090)
Volume:	41
Pages:	25-38
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs., ills.
Geographic terms:	Botswana Southern Africa
Subjects:	archaeology pottery Iron Age History, Archaeology Botswana--History Pottery--History
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/23237922
Abstract:	The authors examine prehistoric (Early Iron Age, c. 1000 years ago) and modern pottery in Botswana. A significant number of traditional potters are still active in the country. The authors analysed 267 shards from 23 prehistoric sites and 7 shards from 3 historic sites. They also analysed 10 shards from 7 of the 11 modern potters from whom they obtained pots. In order to compare the mineral composition of the shards with geological deposits of clays from which they might have been made, 74 clay sources from almost all parts of the country were analysed in the same way as the shards. In this article, the authors concentrate on the 11 modern potters, observing in detail the ways they work, and then consider ways in which their study of the potters' work and wares helps them interpret the archaeological material. Bibliogr., notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]