Past And Present Pottery-Making Traditions In Malaysia: An Ethnoarchaeological Perspective

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dc.contributor.authorNarayanen, Suresh
dc.date.accessioned2018-01-18T07:04:57Z
dc.date.available2018-01-18T07:04:57Z
dc.date.issued2017-08
dc.description.abstractEthnoarchaeological research of past and present pottery in Malaysia was carried out from 2012 to 2015 by the author from the Centre for Global Archaeological Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang. The main objective of this research is to determine the cultural connections between the prehistoric and traditional pottery in Malaysia in terms of technology, pottery shape and function. This research also hopes to locate the former and active traditional potters in order to gather data and knowledge on pottery technology, types and functions as well as information on the histories, origins and genealogies of the traditional potters in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah. The methodology used in this study include (i) literature review (ii) ethnographic fieldwork (iii) pottery sampling (iv) morphological and compositional analyses, and (v) comparative study. Pottery samples from seven prehistoric sites in Peninsular Malaysia; Gua Harimau, Gua Teluk Kelawar, Gua Cha, Gua Kecil, Jenderam Hilir, Bukit Tengku Lembu and Kota Tongkat, five prehistoric sites in Sarawak; Gua Sireh, Lubang Angin, Lobang Batu Puteh, West Mouth and Gua Bungoh, and ten prehistoric sites in Sabah; Bukit Tengkorak, Bukit Kamiri, Melanta Tutup, Agop Atas, Agop Sarapad, Agop Alag, Pusu Samang Tas, Lobang Tinggalan, Hagop Bilo and Pusu Lumut were selected for comparative study with the traditional pottery. A total of 32 samples of prehistoric pottery and 16 samples of traditional pottery from different sites in Malaysia were analysed chemically for the purpose of comparison. Results of the ethnoarchaeological and comparative studies showed that both past and present pottery in Peninsular Malaysia share close similarities in terms of morphology, composition and production techniques. In Sarawak, no connection was found between the prehistoric and traditional pottery in terms of pottery shape but they share similar manufacture techniques. In Sabah, similarities between prehistoric and traditional potteries were noted in terms of morphology, composition and production techniques. Results of the genealogical studies revealed that the Malay pottery-making tradition in Peninsular Malaysia is traceable until the early Malacca Sultanate period in the 15th century CE. In Sarawak, the Iban, Lun Bawang and Kelabit pottery-making traditions are believed to have originated from North Kalimantan and West Kalimantan, Indonesia. In Sabah, the Bajau pottery-making tradition shares close connections to the Samal pottery of Sulu Archipelago, Philippines, while the Dusun pottery-making is believed to be an indigenous tradition. Overall, ethnoarchaeological research of past and present pottery in Malaysia has contributed new data and insights into the cultural connections between the 3,000-4,000-year-old pottery and the traditional pottery in terms of technology, pottery shape and function. The research also provided useful information on the histories, origins and genealogies of traditional potters of Malaysia in Southeast Asia.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/5415
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUniversiti Sains Malaysiaen_US
dc.subjectEthnoarchaeological research of pasten_US
dc.subjectand present pottery in Malaysiaen_US
dc.titlePast And Present Pottery-Making Traditions In Malaysia: An Ethnoarchaeological Perspectiveen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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