Functional use of one of the Fatyanovo-Balanovo clay pot groups

The paper attempts to clarify functional use of the bowls used by the Fatya-novo and Balanovo populations which inhabited the Upper and the Middle Volga regions. Relying on the earlier data on the unity of the Fatyanovo-Balanovo cultural community, the author carried out a joint study of pottery assemblages of these closely related populations. The shape and ornament of 36 items out of the collection of 40 items were analyzed, the analyzed specimens come from 49 Fatyanovo and 2 Balanovo cemeteries. The author comes to the conclusion that the bowls were used not only as tableware but also as lids for pots and ‘amphorae’. A particular emphasis was made on the bowls with perforations or perforated lugs. The most secure variant of attaching the bowl to the pot -with the help of a cord - was identified experimentally. By checking various options of using pot + bowl sets, the most likely method was selected. In this set the bowl was probably used as a dosing device when the liquid was poured out from the pot. Given widespread development of cattle herding among these populations, it may be assumed that milk whey was kept in such pots.