Page 8 - Ancient Ceylon

ANCIENT CEYLON

Journal of the Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka

Research Article Volume 29(I) 2025

A classificatory System for the Analysis of Ceramics

from Archaeological Contexts in Sri Lanka

Wijerathne Bohingamuwa

Department of History and Archaeology, University of Ruhuna,
Matara-81000, Sri Lanka. bwijerathne@hist.ruh.ac.lk

A B S T R A C T

This article proposes a classificatory system for the analysis of
ceramics recovered from archaeological contexts, drawing primarily
from the analysis ceramic assemblages recovered from the port
cum urban sites of Mantai, Kantharōdai and Kirinda in Sri Lanka.
The article comprises two parts. Part I provides an overview of the
key ceramic classification methods and procedures from both
global and Sri Lankan contexts, which influenced the development
of this classification. Then it briefly discusses the theoretical
considerations guiding the selection and application of field
methodologies and underscores the significance of adopting flexible
and reflective methodologies responsive to the complexities and
realities of the archaeological field investigations. The actual
discussion related to the classification of ceramics is given in Part
II. First, it introduces sites, their chronology and the nature of the
assemblages analysed. It then outlines the key objective of the
analysis, procedures, and methods applied as well as the definition
of ceramics used in this classification. The central aim of this article
is to advocate for greater clarity in ceramic analysis, particularly
defining ceramic wares (or classes) and rim types and standardising
the terms used to describe ceramics, including decorative attributes.

A R T I C L E I N F O J O U R N A L I N F O

Received: March 25, 2025 Editor-in-Chief: Dr Aruna Rajapakse
Received in revised: May 05, 2025 ANCIENT CEYLON Published by the Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.
Accepted: June 10, 2025 Email: ancientceylon@archaeology.gov.lk
Available online: July 07, 2025 Web: https://archaeology.gov.lk/ancientceylon

ANCIENT CEYLON 2025: 29(I), 1-26 pp.