Archaeologist gives talk

By Gabrielle Cavalier

The Ceramic Arts Program welcomed archaeologist, anthropologist and museum curator Miriam Doutriaux from Johns Hopkins University to speak on the ancient pottery in the Mayan, Moche and Inca cultures.

Doutriaux presented a two-hour lecture about classic pots from as early as 250 BC and to 1800 and how they signified each culture while also differentiating from one another.

The Mayan culture had descriptive illustrations on their pots that would depict their culture, such as their political system, religion, rituals, etc. Dr. Doutriaux said, “The artists were the most educated people in the Mayan society,” she said. “They needed to know about Mayan history, ideology and literacy in order to create the pots. They had very high status.”

When asked about the lecture in general, Laila Nielsen, a freshman, mentioned that her favorite culture was the Mayans. “I loved how the Mayans drew stories, not just wrote them,” she said. “The fact that they drew it on pots makes it more special and creative.”

The Moche culture was much different, she said. They documented their culture through their most important events, which mostly consisted of war and sexual activities. With that being said, most of the pots had graphic descriptions. Dr. Doutriaux noted that there are “approximately 500 ceramic pieces that relate to sex in some way.”

The last culture talked about in the lecture was the Inca’s. Their ceramic pieces primarily incorporated geometric shapes and different kinds of animals like llamas, jaguars, birds and even humans. High-class citizens or people of power such as priests, lords and emperors often used the pots. The ceramics were also given as attributes.

Dr. Doutriaux also pointed out that every single piece of work was fired in a natural fire pit instead of a classic kiln that is commonly used in today’s world. “Each culture used the earth to perfect their masterpiece, it is amazing that they are in such good condition today,” she said.

Janny Kim, a senior and ceramics student, thought the lecture was interesting and informative. “I really liked how the Mayan culture told stories through their art,” and added, “I also thought it was interesting how the Moche civilization had so much sexual work. I wanted to laugh but didn’t want to seem immature because I was one of the youngest students there.”

About 14 people attended the lecture.