Frying Pans - Proposed Functions of "Frying Pans"

Proposed Functions of "Frying Pans"

Proposed functions of "frying pans" vary widely, but some of the more common theories include:

  • plates
  • cooking utensil (i.e. an actual frying pan)
  • mirrors
  • drums
  • a specifically religious or ritualistic object
  • libation vessel

The plate interpretation is fairly neutral, as a plate could be anything from a decorative object to a religious one. It is unlikely that they are actual cooking utensils, as there is no signs of food or fire, and as previously stated, they are usually found in burial contexts. The drum theory is unlikely as one would expect a drum to have holes around the edges so that the hide could be stretched across it. Furthermore, with many of the handles found on these objects, it would be very hard for the drummer to hold the artifact in the style suggested.

That they were mirrors is a much more interesting interpretation. Their often intricate decoration is compatible with such a role. Prehistoric metal mirrors often have decorated backs. Ceramics are non-reflective, but it has been suggested that filled with water or oil, these objects could function as a mirror. A study concluded by experiment that the best reflection was provided by darkened olive oil.

The weakness of the religious/ritualistic explanation is that it is the old standby of archaeologists to explain anything that is not obvious. However given that they are found in a burial context, even if they did have a mundane every day purpose, they could also have a deeper symbolic meaning.

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