Ancient pottery refers to ceramic objects that were created by human civilizations in the distant past. These items can include vessels, jars, bowls, and other containers that were used for various purposes.

Ancient pottery is important in archaeology because it can provide valuable insights into past cultures, technologies, trade routes, and social practices. By studying the designs, materials, and techniques used in ancient pottery, archaeologists can learn a great deal about the people who created and used these objects.

By studying ancient pottery, archaeologists can learn about the diet of a particular culture, as residue found on pottery can reveal what foods were consumed. Additionally, the style and decoration of pottery can provide clues about the beliefs, values, and artistic practices of a society.

Ancient pottery is often dated using a method called typology, which involves comparing the shapes, styles, and decorative motifs of pottery fragments to known chronological sequences. Additionally, radiocarbon dating can be used to determine the age of organic residues found on pottery.