Origins of Specialization: The Ceramic Chaîne Opératoire and Technological Take‐Off at Vinča‐Belo Brdo, Serbia

Summary This paper presents scientific analyses of Neolithic pottery from Miloje Vasić’s [Vasić, M, 1930]–34 excavations at Vinča‐Belo Brdo, which has long been a key site in south‐eastern European prehistory. Results show a series of changes in the chaîne opératoire of pottery production, both between the early Neolithic Starčevo and middle–late Neolithic Vinča periods, and between Vinča A and Vinča B phases. Unlike in Starčevo assemblages, Vinča pottery fabrics probably served specific functions, but cult objects (an anthropomorphic figurine and several prosopomorphic lids) were made locally using the same raw materials and technology used to make Vinča fine ware. In contrast to the uniformity of Starčevo pottery technology, Vinča pottery production was geographically diverse and evolved over time. Higher firing temperatures of Vinča pottery apparently preceded the development of metallurgy by more than a century.