March 2019: Dr. John Arthur, “Potters, Consumers, and Caste in Southwestern Ethiopia”

Sunday, March 17, 2019 at 3pm

Archaeological Institute of America – Lobban Lecturer

Dr. John Arthur, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg

Potters, Consumers, and Caste in Southwestern Ethiopia

This ethnoarchaeological study examines how the caste system in Gamo society affects both potters and consumers as they produce and use pottery during their daily living. The Gamo who live in the highlands of southwestern Ethiopia overlooking the Great Rift Valley have a strict caste system that places artisans, such as potters, in a lower caste group. This dichotomy between artisans and non-artisans affects all aspects of peoples’ lives from the types of food they eat, where people live, what types of materials they use, and how they can participate in their society. By researching the ceramic ethnoarchaeology of both artisans and consumers, this research hopes to aid the archaeological interpretation of community identity.

Unless otherwise noted:

• Lectures are on Sundays at 3PM
• Lectures are held in Spiro Hall, Room 2, Wagner College, 631 Howard Avenue, Staten Island NY.
• Free parking is available in the first Campus Road lot (accessed by turning onto Campus Road from Howard Avenue and turning left at first parking lot).
• The lower entrance to Spiro Hall adjoins the parking lot. Please enter directly from the parking lot.
• Meet the speaker over coffee and cake following each lecture. Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) lectures (September and March) are free and open to all.
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