Raw Materials and Technological Choices: Case Study of Neolithic Black Pottery From the Middle Yangtze River Valley of China

Abstract Neolithic black pottery from continental Eurasia has attracted scholarly interest since the 1930s, yet its diverse production and use remains poorly understood. This study examined 165 black pottery sherds from Fenghuangzui, a walled town in the middle Yangtze River valley of China, to investigate raw materials and technological choices during the Upper Qujialing (5300–4500 cal BP) and Shijiahe (4500–4200 cal BP) periods. Raman analysis confirms that carbon black was the sole colorant, formed through the absorption of carbon particles. Microscopic examinations categorized 104 fine-paste sherds into 4 sub-groups based on surface texture, identifying 3 clay sources (AA, BB, and BB*) through chemical analysis. AA and BB were the primary sources during both periods, while BB and BB* were preferred in the Shijiahe period for higher-quality serving and drinking vessels linked to feasting. Thin-section petrography and thermal expansion curves indicate the use of local raw materials and firing temperatures of 820–920°C. The consistent clay sources and firing conditions suggest stable practices, while the correlation between certain clay sources and finer pots indicates the potter’s adaptability to specific needs, reflecting the active role of Fenghuangzui inhabitants in sociopolitical events during the Shijiahe period.