Generalised Typesets in Experimental Ceramics

archaeology to clarify the relationship between surface morphology, surface topography, and the
techniques, methods, and gestures used in the potting process. These experimental archaeology
programmes focus on creating collections of experimental vessels to compare against archaeologicallyrecovered vessels, thus allowing production techniques to be identified. Often times, however, the
typesets generated are designed to address a specific intersection of qualities; replica vessels adhere to
a tight range of shapes, dimensions, paste recipes, and/or forming techniques. As such, the applicability
of those typesets remains narrow and context-specific. How, then, can researchers tackle assemblages
with diverse vessel types? Or contexts composed of competing potting traditions? Or contexts with
significant proportions of vessels from many different origins?
This paper presents a new approach to the way that experimental typesets are designed, developed
specifically to address the problem of reliably identifying forming techniques across multiple
assemblages. By focusing on accommodating common geometric possibilities of vessel shapes,
a generalised typeset can allow individuals to make use of well-documented experimental data.
The typeset for the Tracing the Potter’s Wheel project was designed for broad applicability, and
has been made freely accessible as a reference collection. Through the creation of and comparison
against a generalised typeset, heterogeneous assemblages can be better understood and resources
can be directed toward answering specific questions. This paper presents the theoretical foundations
supporting the concept of a generalised typeset, as well as the practice of using a generalised typeset
for analysis.