The Longshan extremely thin (3mm),black earthenware,shares the following common traits:

01.It is an earthenware i.e. the firing was ~ 800 deg.C and so is semi permeable

02.The pottery was burnished,when it was leather hard during drying,before firing.

03.The black colour was probably induced ,by dousing with water before complete firing,resulting in a reducing atmosphere,whereby, the carbon in the smoke penetrated the pottery,giving the black colouration.

Note: all earthernware can be scientifically tested by Thermal Luminescence(TL test) to determine its age.Accuracy is plus/minus two hundred years.

This piece seems like an elongated ritual cup and the various sections are independently formed and then luted together.The Longshan Culture ritual pottery designs and shapes are really astonishing!!!