The Gò Giồng Cát pottery: A view form stratigraphy on the Óc Eo culture

Abstract

This article presents the results of archaeological excavations at the Gò Giồng Cát site, located northwest of the ancient Óc Eo city (An Giang, Vietnam). Through stratigraphic analysis and examination of more than 330,000 pottery fragments, the study highlights the evolution of pottery types and materials across different phases of the Óc Eo culture. The stratigraphy comprises two main cultural layers (TV01 and TV02), clearly demonstrating the distribution of both coarse and fine pottery. The Gò Giồng Cát pottery is classified in detail based on material, rim and base morphology, and function (e.g: jars, pots, cups, lids). Notably, the presence of fine pottery with orange slip or black-polished surfaces indicates high craftsmanship and cultural exchanges with India and Southeast Asia. Findings confirm that Gò Giồng Cát was an important component of the Óc Eo urban system, active from the early to late Óc Eo phases, contributing to the understanding of material culture and social organization in the Mekong Delta during the Óc Eo cultural perio.