Integrating functional analyses of vessels and sherds through models of ceramic assemblage formation

Current research on archaeological ceramics that use functional approaches are characterized as having two broad analytical goals: (1) the identification of the role of ceramics in subsistence systems, and (2) the identification of differences in settlement types. Much research has been conducted to meet each goal, but integration of the two approaches has been difficult because models of ceramic assemblage formation have been ill‐defined. As a step toward this integration, a model of ceramic assemblage formation is presented outlining the major variables that must be considered in the assessment of differences in assemblage content. Using ethnoarchaeological data as input parameters, assemblage formation through time is modeled, and the effects of different variables on assemblage content are discussed.