Serialising, Standardising, Specialising: Investigating a Techno-Social Nexus Underlying Social Complexity. Thematic Issue of Paléorient

The volume is focused on serialisation, standardisation, and specialisation in ancient societies. The authors challenge the traditional assumption that these phenomena are straightforward indicators of social complexity. The volume adopts a comparative and interdisciplinary approach, examining different crafts such as pottery, seals, pigments, and jewellery. One of the central arguments is that there is no single definition of “mass production,” since each craft operates under different conditions. The contributors also distinguish between “serial” and “mass” production. Serialisation is interpreted not only as a technical process, but also as something shaped by economic strategies, political power, and social identities. The various case studies show that serial production could support food redistribution, administrative control, political display, or cultural identity building. The volume also highlights methodological innovation, combining statistical, morphometric, archaeometric, and digital approaches. The authors stress that serialisation was not a uniform or inevitable process, but one that varied according to historical and social contexts. The overall conclusion is that serialisation, standardisation, and specialisation provide important insights into how societies organised labour, power, and social relations.