A comparative electron microprobe study of “Aeginetan” wares with potential raw material sources from Aegina, Methana, and Poros, Greece

Abstract

AbstractQualitative stylistic evidence from ceramic vessels and limited petrographic analysis suggested that a distinctive group of ceramics with visible inclusions of biotite (Gold Mica Fabric) was produced on the island of Aegina, Greece, during the Middle Helladic and Late Helladic I periods. To quantitatively evaluate this provenance, we sampled all potential source rocks on Aegina, Methana, and Poros. Electron microprobe analysis of amphibole in these samples revealed that each of these volcanic centers has its own unique mineralogical signature. Comparative analyses of amphibole in Zerner's original stylistic “Gold Mica Fabric” type sample with the reference samples reveal that two sherds are Aeginetan. Three additional sherds from this sample may have a non‐Aeginetan provenance, probably from a back‐arc setting outside the Saronic Gulf. These results suggest that the hypothesis of a single source production site for Aeginetan Ware should be reexamined. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.