Preliminary Analysis of Earthenware Production from the Shwe Creek Excavation in Bagan

This article analyzes earthenware sherds from Shwe Creek (Operation 315a, Unit 315a–1) in Bagan, Myanmar, as part of the IRAW@Bagan project. Focusing on diagnostic rim sherds from the 2019 excavation season, the research employs typological classification and seriation to establish a preliminary chronological framework. Findings suggest a high degree of standardization in pottery production, particularly for utilitarian ceramics, and highlight both elite-controlled (attached) and market-driven (independent) production modes. Despite limited data, this preliminary archeological report provides a foundation for future ceramic research and relative dating of historical sites, emphasizing the need for continued analysis of Bagan’s earthenware traditions.