An Analysis of Material Property on Eartherwares Excavated at Auraji site in Jeongseon

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to elucidate the materialistic characteristics of 11 pieces of earthenware belonging to the Neolithic and Bronze Age excavated from Jeongseon Auraji, South Korea. As a result, the chemical composition of earthenwares belonging to the early Bronze Age was distributed in the intermediate area between the Neolithic and Bronze Age earthenwares, but no significant difference was confirmed based on their manufacturing period. Upon comparison, the earthenwares excavated from Jeongseon Auraji site were found to comprise less acidic components than those excavated from Yeongdong, and are characterized by the alkaline components depending on the excavated site. In the rare earth elements distribution pattern, all the analyzed earthenwares exhibited similar pattern, confirming that the raw materials present in the clay were the same. As a result of microstructure analysis, the clay particles and voids were found to be irregularly distributed in the analyzed earthenwares. Neolithic earthenwares exhibited many irregular voids, and an arrangement of aluminosilicate, including feldspar, was observed along with the clay substrate. Furthermore, we confirmed that the empty space in early Bronze Age earthenwares was filled with fine particles and cube crystals. Moreover, the main mineral phase of earthenwares excavated from Jeongseon Auraji exhibited similar composition, and therefore, there was no significant difference in the firing temperature of these earthenwares. The firing temperature of the earthenwares ranged from 750 to 850°C.