Technological traditions in making the Saltovo-Mayatsk kitchenware in the Middle Don region

This paper explores some aspects of technological methods used to produce Saltovo-Mayatsk kitchenware. It is generally assumed that kitchen vessels were used for household needs locally, mainly in the areas where the settlements with production facilities were located, and, for this reason, were closely connected to the ‘life story' of the local population. This paper analyzes fragments of 313 kitchen pots retrieved from assemblages in six Middle Don settlements. It also examines skills of early medieval potters concerning selection of raw material and preparation of paste. The data obtained suggest that there were at least three widespread technological traditions of making kitchenware in the Middle Don region during the early medieval period: the ferrous, chamotte and sand traditions.