Unveiling the sign value of early potter’s wheels based on a 3-D morphometric analysis of Late Chalcolithic vessels from the southern Levant

The sign value of the first potter's wheels used in southern Levant (second half 5th mill. BC) is explored through production modalities V-shaped bowls, main category vessels shaped on wheel at that time. To this end, a morphometric approach applied to bowls from four sites numerical methods available Pottery 3-D software extract shape parameters. results obtained highlight high variability absolute dimensions and low profiles. This apparent contradiction discussed light made under three experimental conditions. baseline data suggests roughouts archaeological were by several hands, while shaping was done single hand. disjunction process supports hypothesis earliest rotary instruments found loaded with symbolic meaning then transferred when they wheel.