The Decline and Fall of Pottery: How the Fur Trade and Global Capitalism Led to Its Demise

TLDRThe introduction of agriculture led to the rise of pottery in Iran. However, capitalism, globalism, and the fur trade caused pottery to decline and eventually vanish by the 1670s. Copper kettles, mass-produced and less durable than clay pots, became popular due to their cheap price, leading to the neglect of pottery. The abundance of pottery shards provided valuable archaeological insights, but copper kettles did not. The economic viability of pottery diminished, resulting in its disappearance. A similar phenomenon can be observed today with the decline of craftsmanship due to industrial global capitalism.

Key insights

🏺Pottery in Iran flourished after the introduction of agriculture, allowing people to live a more settled life.

💰The fur trade and the popularity of cheap copper kettles led to the decline of pottery, as it became economically unviable.

🧩Pottery shards provide valuable archaeological information about trade networks, relationships between communities, and the aesthetics of the time.

🔥Pottery required significant time and skill to produce, making it a labor-intensive craft.

🌍The decline of pottery due to global capitalism is similar to the decline of craftsmanship in modern times.

Q&A

Why did the introduction of agriculture lead to the rise of pottery?

—Agriculture allowed people to live a more sedentary life, making pottery a necessary and viable tool for cooking and storage.

Why did copper kettles become popular despite their drawbacks?

—Copper kettles were cheap and readily available in the fur trade market, making them an attractive alternative to pottery.

What information can be obtained from pottery shards?

—Pottery shards provide insights into trade networks, community relationships, food preferences, and the use of wood for fuel.

Why did pottery decline and eventually vanish?

—The economic viability of pottery diminished due to the popularity of cheaper and more convenient copper kettles.

What can we learn from the decline of pottery in relation to modern times?

—The decline of pottery due to global capitalism reflects the diminishing value placed on craftsmanship and handmade goods in the modern era.

Timestamped Summary

00:01Pottery in Iran had a strong tradition even before contact with the Persian Empire.

01:10Pottery flourished in Iran during the latter half of the first millennium, with the introduction of agriculture.

01:30The abundance of pottery shards provides a comprehensive record of human habitation from 1,000 BC to about 1650 AD.

02:32Copper kettles became popular in the fur trade market, leading to the decline of pottery from about 1620 onwards.

04:59Pottery vanished entirely in Iran by about 1670 due to the economic viability of copper kettles.

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