James Osborne, Why Archaeologists Love Pottery

In the Humanities Day 2024 session about “Why Archaeologists Love Pottery,” University of Chicago Assoc. Prof. James Osborne examined the pivotal role of ancient pottery in archaeological research, focusing on the methodologies archaeologists use to analyze ceramic vessels and providing insights into the socio-cultural and economic aspects of past civilizations. By using actual pottery artifacts from the ISAC Museum's collection that offer tangible connection to historical contexts, Osborne gave attendees an understanding of the analytical techniques used to study pottery, underscoring the importance of ceramics in reconstructing human history and cultural interactions.