Groundbreaking theory suggests female artisans behind early Greek pottery masterpieces

In an article posted on its website, Greek Reporter highlights a groundbreaking theory by classical archaeologist Sarah Murray, who suggests that women may have played a pivotal role in the creation of fine pottery during the early Greek Iron Age. 

The nearly 5-foot-tall Dipylon Amphora, dating back to around 700 BC, stands as a stunning example of Ancient Greek pottery. Its beautifully painted surface depicts a funeral scene featuring human figures with wasp-waisted proportions, stylized animals, and intricate geometric patterns.

Unearthed in Kerameikos, Athens, near a gate called Dipylon at the entrance to an ancient cemetery, the creator of this monumental piece has long been assumed to be male. Historians typically refer to the artisan as the “Dipylon Master.”

However, a new perspective is emerging. Sarah Murray, a classical archaeologist from the University of Toronto, along with two of her undergraduate students, is challenging the established narrative. They propose that women, not men, may have been the primary creators of artistic pottery in early Greek society, particularly during the Greek Iron Age (1050 BC to 700 BC).

Unfortunately, no written records from that era have survived, and pottery itself serves as a key historical artifact for understanding this period in Greece. As Sarah Murray explains in a recent article in the American Journal of Archaeology, “Pottery is the anchor of everything we say about the society—but I think that’s problematic.”

She adds, “No one had really thought that women were involved in making this pottery. There was no argument. It was just taken as the default.”

Historical records from various periods in Greek history generally reveal a society that was predominantly male-dominated.

However, Murray and her team propose an alternative theory: due to the significant societal changes that occurred between the end of the Bronze Age, a time of high artistic achievement, and the Iron Age, women may have taken on new roles, including that of pottery creators.

The Iron Age, marked by significant shifts, saw a notable population decline compared to the Bronze Age. As Murray suggests, this demographic change may have led women to step into the gap, assuming the responsibility of creating pottery themselves.

This scenario may not have persisted into the Archaic Age, which saw a population rebound and the accompanying social stratifications. However, for the earlier period, Murray argues that it is entirely plausible that women played a significant role in shaping the art of Ancient Greek pottery.

Moreover, as demonstrated by the Dipylon vase, there was a sudden and notable shift towards geometric patterns like zigzags and diamonds, marking a dramatic departure from previous pottery designs.

By Naila Huseynova