Contextualising Artisanal Interplay and Technological Changes on Iron Age Naxos (Cyclades). Some Preliminary Observations

Geometric Naxian coarse-ware pots belong to a hand-building tradition that was practised alongside
Naxian wheel-made fine wares. Although hand-built, certain Naxian coarse vessels, i.e., storage
amphorae and cooking jugs, from the second half of the 8th century BC onwards, show the use of
rotational devices in roughouts and shaping to varying degrees, as preserved in the Tsikalario cemetery
in inland Naxos. This thematic review, which serves as an introduction to on-going research, sets out
the goals and approaches of a technological study which is also investigating the use of rotational
devices on Iron Age Naxian vessels alongside other co-existing (hand-made) potting traditions. It is
argued that such technological phenomena/changes observed are part of a wider picture that includes
interactions and cross-fertilisation between ceramic artisans in the Iron Age settlements of the island.