This is a basic discussion of the various and important archaeological uses of pottery for such things as dating levels in an excavation, locatingsites and identifying populations. The author includes a warning that ceramic evidence may be easily misinterpreted, and he calls for careful handling of the material, and a conservative approach to interpretation of the pottery. Author notes, in closing, that Archaeology is not a science, because interpretation of the material is subject to human fallibility. -- AATA