La Poterie Locale Des Hautes Terres Centrales De I ' imerina (Madagascar): Identification De Groupes Ou Mobilier Artistique

Abstract

This chapter deals with some aspects of local pottery from the central highlands of Imerina (Madagascar) Local pottery translates technical skills as well as artistic creativity of ancient population. However, ceramic is witnessing not only art, but is a fundamental element in social and economical organization in ancient Imerina.

Ceramic with its various decorations, went though different historical times and gives precious information on forgotten ways of life that archaeology has unearthed. Common or local pottery, witnesses different groups of population who lived in ancient Imerina.   Motifs of decoration have marked different periods either for aesthetic or for common production; their diversification and diffusing suggests circulation of population as well as of goods during cultural phases when self-sufficiency was always thought to be fundamental.