土理土器

不容小覷的「土土」陶容器

相較於玉、石等器物，陶器的「物質價值」並不高，卻是史前時代人類社會──
（1）最重要：史前時代人類社會最重要的生活用品。（2）最普遍：史前遺址上最普遍。（3）最大量：史前遺址上出土數量最多。（4）最多研究：世界新石器時代文化中，被研究最多的考古遺物。

然而陶器質鬆易碎，出土多為殘片，以致於在研究或展示上，都僅能以推論或虛擬的方式來呈現其內涵。因此，更突顯完整史前陶容器的珍貴。

本特展試圖從功能分類著手，說明臺灣史前人類使用陶容器的兩項主要行為，包括日常生活以及儀式使用，並加入風格演變以貼近史前人類的美感經驗。不同於以往學者所慣用之類型學與文化層序等知識架構。而主標題「土理土器」說明策展團隊強調紋理、器型，除因器型與紋飾是考古學上對陶容器最基礎的分類法則，也是向觀眾說明考古學知識如何被研究者所建構。

本特展所展示經修復完整的臺灣史前陶容器，主要出土於臺灣東部及西南平原。透過完整器型，窺探史前人類的生活、工藝與美學，引領觀眾的目光正視這一項看似「土土的」，卻在考古學研究上絕對重要的器物──陶容器。

Seemingly “Vulgar” But Important

Compared with artifacts such as jade and stoneware, the “material value” of pottery is not high. However, pottery vessels are crucial because they represent the broadest and most fundamental use of clay from prehistoric times. Potsherds are one of the most common finds on archaeological sites from all periods, starting with the Neolithic, and they have therefore become the most researched artifacts in archaeology. However, mostly potsherds have been excavated, and we rarely see complete pieces, making them precious to research and exhibit.

The theme “Patterns and Forms of Earthen Pots” reflects researchers’ emphasis on patterns and forms of pottery, which are the most fundamental bases for the classification of pottery vessels in archaeology. Through presenting repaired pottery vessels, which were mostly unearthed from the eastern Taiwan and the southwestern plain, we perceive the life, crafts, and aesthetics of prehistoric Taiwan, and guide visitors to face squarely the seemingly “vulgar” but important artifact – pottery vessels– in archeological research.