The source provides an extensive overview of the evolution of pottery technology from the Paleolithic era through the Neolithic period, focusing primarily on practical applications like food preparation and storage. It details the earliest evidence of fired clay, such as the Venus of Dolní Věstonice, and the oldest container pottery found in Xianren Cave, China. The document traces the development of crafting methods, including the transition from simple hand-molding to the revolutionary fast-wheel technology and the advancement of firing techniques from low-temperature open stacking fires to high-temperature kilns. Furthermore, the text examines the global spread of this technology, noting both independent inventions across continents (e.g., Africa and the Americas) and the rapid diffusion through human migration and trade.