Sophisticated techniques have helped pinpoint the use of early pottery in east Asia, shedding light on dietary practices and historical connections.
From China and Korea to Greece and Syria, many of the world’s museums are adorned with pottery vessels that give us insight into past civilisations and inspire us to imagine how these objects were used. Although pottery was used for cooking, storage and even decorative purposes, how and why pottery emerged some 12 000 years ago in east Asia had remained largely a mystery, until now.
Further details: Early pottery under the microscope