Unique pottery kiln construction? The interpretation of massive clay objects from the Trostianchyk site of the Trypillia culture

The article considers the characteristics of truncated-pyramidal and discal type clay objects that were found in pit 1 at the Trostianchyk site (Vinnytsia oblast, Ukraine) of BII Trypillia stage. The context, location and chronology of these artifacts are characterized. On the basis of ethnographic evidence, the interpretation of the clay objects as movable constructive elements of a pottery kiln is given. We assume that such kilns are the archaic link in the evolution of ceramic firing devices. They preceded the multi-channel kilns that have been known in Cucuteni-Trypillia Cultural Complex since the end of V millennium BC.