A space for time: Containers as space for duration.

Area of Science:

• Archaeology
• Material Culture Studies
• Anthropology

Background:

• Containment practices are often overlooked, with containers viewed primarily as static spaces.
• A focus on the temporal dimension of containment offers a more dynamic perspective on containers as artifacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reorient the understanding of containment by emphasizing its temporal dimension.
• To explore the duration of containment and its influence on container design and use.
• To reanimate the interdependent containment practices of ancient societies through archaeological analysis.

Main Methods:

• Focusing on the temporal dimension of containment, rather than solely spatial aspects.
• Analyzing the duration of containment and release in ancient societies.
• Utilizing an integrated approach that considers the human body and gestures in relation to containers and contents.
• Case study: Bronze Age ceramic vessels from Crete.

Main Results:

• Containment is inherently temporal, involving a duration between containment and release (anticipated or accidental).
• Varying durations were incorporated into the design and use of Bronze Age Cretan ceramic vessels.
• The human body and its gestures play a crucial role in the containment process.

Conclusions:

• Emphasizing duration as a factor in container design and use provides a more dynamic understanding of containers as artifacts.
• Archaeological analysis of containment duration can illuminate the complex, interdependent practices of ancient societies.
• This temporal perspective enriches our understanding of material culture and human interaction with objects.