Paper short abstract:

Earthenware is common in Malukan sites, but few detailed studies of these assemblages exist. In this paper, I review the ceramics assemblages from three sites in the Banda Islands, Eastern Indonesia. The distribution of tempers and designs suggest differential access to long distance trade networks.

Paper long abstract:

In his 1544 voyage to Maluku, Galvao (Jacobs 1970:141) note residents "make little use of pots." Earthenware is ubiquitous in Metal Age Malukan sites, but few detailed studies of these assemblages have been presented in the literature. In this paper, I review the ceramics assemblages from three multi-component sites in the Banda Islands, Maluku Province, Indonesia. The assemblages range from Neolithic to early 20th Century. The distribution of tempers and designs suggest differential access to the long distance trade network based around the Banda Sea.