Article révisé par les pairs
| Résumé : | For several decades, interpreting technical variations in the physical characteristics of pottery has followed two major trends: the 'cultural' approach and the 'behavioural' or 'techno-functionalist' approach. Using data collected during extensive ethnographic fieldwork, I will consider the relative importance of social and technical requirements in the field of clay processing techniques in the Faro area (northern Cameroon). I will show that environmental and techno-functional constraints cannot explain technical variations, while cultural factors appear determinant. However, taking the discussion one step further, I will show the complexity of the social/cultural mechanism involved in the regional distribution of these techniques. |
