prepottery

Prepottery refers to the archaeological period preceding the widespread development and use of pottery in human societies. This era predates the Neolithic Revolution, a time when settled agricultural communities began to emerge and craft traditions, including pottery making, became more common. Artifacts from the prepottery period are typically made from perishable materials like wood, bone, and animal hides, or from stone and other durable materials that do not preserve as readily as fired clay.

Understanding the prepottery period relies heavily on the analysis of stone tools, such as projectile points, scrapers, and blades, as well as evidence of early shelters, burial practices, and adaptations to the environment. Sites from this era often provide insights into the hunting and gathering strategies, social organization, and technological capabilities of early humans before the advent of ceramic technology. The transition from prepottery to pottery-making societies marks a significant shift in human material culture and lifestyle.