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context: ceramics > prehistory
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an Early Jomon pot |
Early Jomon
The earliest Japanese pottery dates back over 12,000 years, to the Incipient Jomon period, and is probably the earliest in the world. It's utilitarian and hand-kneaded.
The name Jomon means 'cord-impressed', and that is how we see the clay treated as we get into Early Jomon from 7500BC, making for a distinctive surface. Conical pots are common, very practical for sandy ground.