Ethnoarchaeological Study of Pottery Production Among the Gwari People of Niger State

Pottery remains one of the most enduring material signatures in the archaeological record of North Central Nigeria, yet the living traditions that inform its interpretation are rarely studied systematically. This ethnoarchaeological research examines contemporary pottery production practices among Gwari women in selected communities of Niger State, with the aim of generating analogical data relevant to the interpretation of ceramic assemblages from nearby prehistoric sites. The study employs structured interviews, photographic documentation, and direct observation of the full chaîne opératoire, from raw clay procurement through forming, firing, and distribution. Results indicate that vessel morphology, surface treatment, and firing temperature are strongly conditioned by end-use categories, including cooking, storage, and ritual functions, a finding with direct implications for interpreting prehistoric ceramics in the Middle Niger Basin. The research also documents significant intergenerational attrition in craft knowledge, with younger women showing declining engagement with traditional production methods. This cultural shift has consequences not only for living heritage but also for the interpretive frameworks archaeologists apply to earlier assemblages. The study situates its findings within the growing literature on practice theory and material culture studies in West African archaeology. Recommendations are offered for integrating ethnoarchaeological monitoring into ongoing excavation projects in the region. The dataset generated provides a comparative reference for ceramic analysts working across North Central Nigeria. Keywords: ethnoarchaeology, pottery, Gwari, Niger State, ceramic analysis.