Technologies and standards in ceramic production of middle–late Trypillya culture.

The article summarizes information on the ceramic production of the Trypillya-Cucuteni culture. It covers all phases of Trypillya ceramic production, including clay preparation, modeling methods, structural component connection, and decoration. Special attention is given to the examination of engobe and pigment composition in the painted vessel areas. The composition of the clay body and petrographic studies are also addressed. At the Bodaki site, samples of painted pottery, traditional kitchenware, and ceramics classified as "western imports" were examined. Vessels were modeled from clay strips or slabs, with the strips often being diagonally connected to increase the bonding surface. There were various methods for creating vessel rims, and during the middle Trypillya culture, there was a tendency towards standardization of forms. The article describes various techniques and methods used in the ceramic production of the middle to late Trypillya culture. It also discusses the use of wooden sticks to connect parts of a vessel. Furthermore, various methods for treating vessel surfaces are described, such as scraping off excess clay and applying engobe. The study shows that surface treatment and handle production techniques were applied differently in various settlements of the Trypillia culture. The article describes the painting process, pigments, and binders used in the production of Trypillya ceramics. Painting covered about two-thirds of the surface of a vessel, with the lower part usually remaining undecorated. In the middle period, trichromatic painting with red, black, and white colors was common. Later, mainly monochrome painting was used. The colors consisted of a mixture of pyrolusite, ochre, and burnt bone. Organic binders were found in the paint layers, indicating that the ceramics were painted after firing. The surfaces of the painted ceramics were polished to make them more compact and water-resistant. [Extracted from the article]