陶器是考古学的重要研究对象。陶器的考古学研究已经逐渐突破了类型学的限制,其制作技术、社会含义受到越来越多的关注。在探究陶器技术与社会问题之联系的学术趋势中,热点问题之一是陶器与手工业生产的关系,尤其是陶器的生产组织。手工业生产的专门化往往被认为与一个更重大的研究课题——社会复杂化进程有所关联。不少学者认为,手工业专业化(ceaft specialization)是复杂社会的政治经济指示因素①。手工业的专门化说明了社会的一部分人口从农产品的生产中分离出来从事其他活动,意味着社会有足够的剩余物资供养这些人口。手工业专业化也可能暗示着精英阶层的存在,专业工匠往往拥有更高超的技术,能够制作彰显身份地位的精美陶器或其他奢 Pottery is an important research object of archeology. The archeology of pottery has gradually broken through the typological limitations, and its production techniques and social meanings have drawn more and more attention. One of the hot issues in the academic trend of exploring the connection between pottery technology and social issues is the relationship between pottery and handicraft production, especially the production organization of pottery. The specialization of handicraft production is often thought to be linked to a larger research topic, the process of social complication. Many scholars believe that ceaft specialization is a political and economic indicator of a complex society. The specialization of handicrafts illustrates that the separation of a portion of the population of society from the production of agricultural products in other activities means that there is enough surplus in society to support these populations. Specialization in handicrafts may also imply the existence of an elite class of professional artisans who often possess superior skills in the production of elaborate pottery or other luxury