New book explores the impacts of politics and identity on Inca ceramic production

A new book by Professor Tamara Bray, "Objects of Empire: The Ceramic Tradition of the Imperial Inca State" (University of Texas Press), examines how Inca ceramics reinforced imperial rule and shaped political identities.

Moving beyond the notion that Inca pottery followed a uniform style, Bray’s research uncovers significant variations and symbolic meanings within these vessels. Taking an empire-wide comparative approach, she identifies key design elements while analyzing where and why deviations occurred.

Drawing from an extensive database of imperial Inca pottery from archaeologically recovered and museum-based collections, the study highlights how material culture played a central role in the Inca’s strategies for expansion and governance. By controlling the production and distribution of recognizable vessel forms, Inca rulers reinforced power and legitimacy across vast territories through the material culture of everyday life.