Cultural Evolution in Clay: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Pottery Trajectories in Northern Ghana and South Korea

Kwabena Darko Akuamoah; Peter Atakuma Agbodza

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11

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Cultural Evolution in Clay: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Pottery Trajectories in Northern Ghana and South Korea

Kwabena Darko Akuamoah^*

, Peter Atakuma Agbodza

Published in American Journal of Art and Design (Volume 11, Issue 1)

Received: 30 November 2025 Accepted: 20 December 2025 Published: 19 January 2026

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Abstract

This study explores the contrasting evolutionary trajectories and preservation outcomes of indigenous pottery traditions in Northern Ghana and South Korea from the mid-1970s to the present. Pottery, a transformative Neolithic innovation, embodies both cultural identity and utilitarian value. Yet, modernisation, globalisation, and shifting social priorities pose significant threats to its continuity. Unlike much scholarship that treats traditions in isolation, this research adopts a cross-cultural comparative framework to theories mechanisms of cultural evolution. It juxtaposes Northern Ghana’s community-based, ritual-oriented model now strained by urbanisation and economic displacement with South Korea’s institutionalised, state-driven approach, which integrates technological innovation and heritage policy to foster resilience. Through this design, the study highlights the socio-political, economic, and institutional conditions shaping the sustainability of intangible cultural heritage. Findings reveal how modernity differently impacts artistic practice, economic viability, and identity preservation across contexts. By clarifying these dynamics, the research contributes to theoretical models of cultural evolution while offering practical insights for heritage policy. Ultimately, it underscores the need for adaptive strategies that balance tradition and innovation, ensuring indigenous crafts remain vital cultural resources in a rapidly globalising world.

Published in	American Journal of Art and Design (Volume 11, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11
Page(s)	1-10
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Cross-cultural, Evolution, Ghana, Indigenous, Pottery, South Korea

References

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Akuamoah, K. D., Agbodza, P. A. (2026). Cultural Evolution in Clay: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Pottery Trajectories in Northern Ghana and South Korea. American Journal of Art and Design, 11(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11

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ACS Style

Akuamoah, K. D.; Agbodza, P. A. Cultural Evolution in Clay: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Pottery Trajectories in Northern Ghana and South Korea. Am. J. Art Des. 2026, 11(1), 1-10. doi: 10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11

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AMA Style

Akuamoah KD, Agbodza PA. Cultural Evolution in Clay: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Pottery Trajectories in Northern Ghana and South Korea. Am J Art Des. 2026;11(1):1-10. doi: 10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11,
  author = {Kwabena Darko Akuamoah and Peter Atakuma Agbodza},
  title = {Cultural Evolution in Clay: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Pottery Trajectories in Northern Ghana and South Korea},
  journal = {American Journal of Art and Design},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-10},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajad.20261101.11},
  abstract = {This study explores the contrasting evolutionary trajectories and preservation outcomes of indigenous pottery traditions in Northern Ghana and South Korea from the mid-1970s to the present. Pottery, a transformative Neolithic innovation, embodies both cultural identity and utilitarian value. Yet, modernisation, globalisation, and shifting social priorities pose significant threats to its continuity. Unlike much scholarship that treats traditions in isolation, this research adopts a cross-cultural comparative framework to theories mechanisms of cultural evolution. It juxtaposes Northern Ghana’s community-based, ritual-oriented model now strained by urbanisation and economic displacement with South Korea’s institutionalised, state-driven approach, which integrates technological innovation and heritage policy to foster resilience. Through this design, the study highlights the socio-political, economic, and institutional conditions shaping the sustainability of intangible cultural heritage. Findings reveal how modernity differently impacts artistic practice, economic viability, and identity preservation across contexts. By clarifying these dynamics, the research contributes to theoretical models of cultural evolution while offering practical insights for heritage policy. Ultimately, it underscores the need for adaptive strategies that balance tradition and innovation, ensuring indigenous crafts remain vital cultural resources in a rapidly globalising world.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Cultural Evolution in Clay: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Pottery Trajectories in Northern Ghana and South Korea
AU  - Kwabena Darko Akuamoah
AU  - Peter Atakuma Agbodza
Y1  - 2026/01/19
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DO  - 10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11
T2  - American Journal of Art and Design
JF  - American Journal of Art and Design
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AB  - This study explores the contrasting evolutionary trajectories and preservation outcomes of indigenous pottery traditions in Northern Ghana and South Korea from the mid-1970s to the present. Pottery, a transformative Neolithic innovation, embodies both cultural identity and utilitarian value. Yet, modernisation, globalisation, and shifting social priorities pose significant threats to its continuity. Unlike much scholarship that treats traditions in isolation, this research adopts a cross-cultural comparative framework to theories mechanisms of cultural evolution. It juxtaposes Northern Ghana’s community-based, ritual-oriented model now strained by urbanisation and economic displacement with South Korea’s institutionalised, state-driven approach, which integrates technological innovation and heritage policy to foster resilience. Through this design, the study highlights the socio-political, economic, and institutional conditions shaping the sustainability of intangible cultural heritage. Findings reveal how modernity differently impacts artistic practice, economic viability, and identity preservation across contexts. By clarifying these dynamics, the research contributes to theoretical models of cultural evolution while offering practical insights for heritage policy. Ultimately, it underscores the need for adaptive strategies that balance tradition and innovation, ensuring indigenous crafts remain vital cultural resources in a rapidly globalising world.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
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Kwabena Darko Akuamoah

Multidisciplinary Department, Ho Technical University, Ho, Ghana

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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6203-1377
Peter Atakuma Agbodza

Multidisciplinary Department, Ho Technical University, Ho, Ghana

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APA Style

Akuamoah, K. D., Agbodza, P. A. (2026). Cultural Evolution in Clay: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Pottery Trajectories in Northern Ghana and South Korea. American Journal of Art and Design, 11(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11

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ACS Style

Akuamoah, K. D.; Agbodza, P. A. Cultural Evolution in Clay: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Pottery Trajectories in Northern Ghana and South Korea. Am. J. Art Des. 2026, 11(1), 1-10. doi: 10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11

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AMA Style

Akuamoah KD, Agbodza PA. Cultural Evolution in Clay: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Pottery Trajectories in Northern Ghana and South Korea. Am J Art Des. 2026;11(1):1-10. doi: 10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11,
  author = {Kwabena Darko Akuamoah and Peter Atakuma Agbodza},
  title = {Cultural Evolution in Clay: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Pottery Trajectories in Northern Ghana and South Korea},
  journal = {American Journal of Art and Design},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-10},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajad.20261101.11},
  abstract = {This study explores the contrasting evolutionary trajectories and preservation outcomes of indigenous pottery traditions in Northern Ghana and South Korea from the mid-1970s to the present. Pottery, a transformative Neolithic innovation, embodies both cultural identity and utilitarian value. Yet, modernisation, globalisation, and shifting social priorities pose significant threats to its continuity. Unlike much scholarship that treats traditions in isolation, this research adopts a cross-cultural comparative framework to theories mechanisms of cultural evolution. It juxtaposes Northern Ghana’s community-based, ritual-oriented model now strained by urbanisation and economic displacement with South Korea’s institutionalised, state-driven approach, which integrates technological innovation and heritage policy to foster resilience. Through this design, the study highlights the socio-political, economic, and institutional conditions shaping the sustainability of intangible cultural heritage. Findings reveal how modernity differently impacts artistic practice, economic viability, and identity preservation across contexts. By clarifying these dynamics, the research contributes to theoretical models of cultural evolution while offering practical insights for heritage policy. Ultimately, it underscores the need for adaptive strategies that balance tradition and innovation, ensuring indigenous crafts remain vital cultural resources in a rapidly globalising world.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Cultural Evolution in Clay: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Pottery Trajectories in Northern Ghana and South Korea
AU  - Kwabena Darko Akuamoah
AU  - Peter Atakuma Agbodza
Y1  - 2026/01/19
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11
T2  - American Journal of Art and Design
JF  - American Journal of Art and Design
JO  - American Journal of Art and Design
SP  - 1
EP  - 10
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-7802
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.11
AB  - This study explores the contrasting evolutionary trajectories and preservation outcomes of indigenous pottery traditions in Northern Ghana and South Korea from the mid-1970s to the present. Pottery, a transformative Neolithic innovation, embodies both cultural identity and utilitarian value. Yet, modernisation, globalisation, and shifting social priorities pose significant threats to its continuity. Unlike much scholarship that treats traditions in isolation, this research adopts a cross-cultural comparative framework to theories mechanisms of cultural evolution. It juxtaposes Northern Ghana’s community-based, ritual-oriented model now strained by urbanisation and economic displacement with South Korea’s institutionalised, state-driven approach, which integrates technological innovation and heritage policy to foster resilience. Through this design, the study highlights the socio-political, economic, and institutional conditions shaping the sustainability of intangible cultural heritage. Findings reveal how modernity differently impacts artistic practice, economic viability, and identity preservation across contexts. By clarifying these dynamics, the research contributes to theoretical models of cultural evolution while offering practical insights for heritage policy. Ultimately, it underscores the need for adaptive strategies that balance tradition and innovation, ensuring indigenous crafts remain vital cultural resources in a rapidly globalising world.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download