Archaeometric study on the ceramic production of the Roman Time potters’ quarter of via Montona in Padua, Italy: From the reference groups to the regional distribution of coarse and fine ware

Abstract

The archaeometric investigation on the locally produced coarse and fine ware from the potters’ quarter of via Montona (Padua, north-eastern Italy), where the four main production phases date from the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD, allowed to define the petrographic and chemical reference groups for these productions. Coarse ware was produced according to two recipes, a biomicrite-rich paste during production phases 1 and 2, and a trachyte-rich paste during production phase 4, revealing correspondences between changes in both the stylistic features of pottery and production technology. As for the fine ware, the compositional similarity of the fine wares (grey pottery and red slip ware) suggests the use of similar clay materials with various degrees of levigation. Comparison with pottery from other settlements in the Veneto region indicates that the production of fine ware in via Montona was mainly intended for the local market, rather than for regional distribution.