Innovation within socio-economic boundaries. A discussion on the case of matt-painted pottery in southern Albania

Innovation in prehistoric pottery production and consumption is a subject of extensive discussion, particularly in relation to how the introduction of new attributes contributes to broader transformations in technology, production methods, and economic systems. The implementation of innovative features in ceramic traditions has implications, influencing production scale, community demand, and models of networks of exchange. Examining the introduction or adoption of technological and decorative innovations in relation to pottery production and consumption allows for a more comprehensive understanding of technological progress as well as the social and cultural dynamics within late prehistoric societies. A significant case study in this regard is the emergence and spread of matt-painted pottery, which first appears during the Middle Helladic period in Central and Southern Greece. By the Late Bronze Age, this style had spread to northern and northwestern Greece, western Macedonia, and southern Albania where it became increasingly popular during the Early Iron Age. The adoption of this aesthetic attribute within a predominantly handmade pottery tradition – largely defined by its functional attributes – does represent a breath of fresh air in the decoration of pottery. This paper examines to what extent the attributes of the matt-painted decoration contribute to the understanding of the socio-economic setting and development of late prehistoric southern Albania. By taking into account its stylistic development in a diachronic perspective, I argue that however innovative, the matt-painted decoration is largely defined by artisan expressions operating within secluded socio-cultural units that are marked by a non-specialized activity of production and informal networks of exchange.