Montesuvian Pottery
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| Montesuvian Pottery | |
|---|---|
 A reconstructed pot. | |
| Material | Clay |
| Created | c. 3700 TT |
| Discovered | 27 TT Montesuvian mountain range, La Rossa |
| Discovered by | Marco Miglio di Padeno |
| Current location | University of Padeno, La Rossa |
The Montesuvian Pottery is a collection of clay pots and ceramics found in the region of the Montesuvian mountain range near Padeno. Dated to be approximately 3700 years old, it is the oldest currently discovered set of artifacts found on the island of La Rossa, and the earliest known trace of Rossan culture. The distinct carvings found on the pottery have served as inspiration for several contemporary art movements, such as linea in paintings and Colscritto in sculpting and architecture. Although only recently discovered, the ancient style has been used to exemplify national pride, symbolically tracing back to the earliest days of the Rossan civilization.
Description
The Montesuvian Pottery consists of a collection of seven hundred pieces of ceramics, 450 of which are considered to be fully or partially complete. Produced from clay, most pieces found were broken or destroyed, however, the rest of the collection has been reassembled in the years since the discovery. Mostly following a simple black-and-white color scheme, the pots were made of white clay before being baked under conditions of low oxygen, leading to the gradual darkening of their surface into a uniform black color. Carvings through the surface are made through a process named sgraffito, revealing the lighter layers and establishing contrast. The reconstruction of the pottery revealed a collection of mostly simple pots, vases, amphoras and other containers.
Almost all of the pots bear a carving or a pattern on their surface, most likely having been inscribed with a knife. They depict various scenes from daily life, landscapes, as well as what are presumed to be ancient myths and legends. Humanoid figures, when present, tend to be drawn in simple, expressive forms, and almost exclusively from a profile angle. Although most of the found examples feature a multitude of discrete knife strokes, a small minority of the pots have been noted for a particular style where continuous lines continue throughout the circumference of the pot. Although the lines aren't entirely seamless, with evidence of a multitude of carvings being used to carry them forward, the particular style has received attention among the art community, most notably following the Second Calming. The discovery of the pots would lead to the establishment of the contemporary artstyles of Colscritto and linea.
Discovery
The Montesuvian Pottery was discovered in 27 TT by Marco Miglio di Padeno, a member of the local aristocracy and an amateur archaeologist. Despite his lack of significant achievements in the field, he would often go out to explore often incredulous claims about ancient findings across the island, using his Family's vast wealth to fund his trips. In an expedition to Montesuvia, just as the expedition was planning on leaving, a land slide would accidentally unearth ancient remains. A vast number of large clay sherds were found, resembling no known artifact at the time. While it is doubtful that the original claim of remains being found in the mountains was based in fact, the unearthed remains nonetheless proved to majorly shift the understanding of ancient civilization on the island. Donated to the University of Padeno, where the collection is currently stored, the fragments were dated to 4000 TT, later being adjusted to 3700 TT. In the following years, the collection was expanded as more similar relics were found around the original dig site. Put on display in 22 TT, to this day, the pots remain the oldest known evidence of Rossan civilization on the island.