This rimless, round-bottomed vessel is made by coils of clay which were then smoothened with a paddle. Black earthenware of this type usually have cord-marked decorations as shown in this example. The black surface was the result of the pot coming into contact with the burning fuel during firing.The site of Ban Chiang was first discovered in 1957. Pottery was found with skeletal remains, glass beads as well as iron and bronze bracelets. Early Period pottery consisted mainly of ceramic vessels in ring-based or pedestalled forms. Decorations were mostly abstract geometric and curvilinear shapes divided into bands across the vessel.Painted vessels such as this were probably not used as everyday ware in the Ban Chiang culture. These vessels were probably used as burial jars to contain either food or objects for the decesaed in their afterlife.
