ICP-AES analysis of some Mycenaean vases from the cemetery at Pylona, Rhodes

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the chemical analyses by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) of a selection of vases from the recent excavations of Mycenaean tombs at Pylona, Rhodes. The data are used to support and confirm the stylistic attributions of the vases as either local Rhodian products or mainland imports. It is suggested that the majority of the imports are from the Argolid, but that at least one other origin is likely as well. Two distinct compositional groups of ‘local’ pottery are also identified. Comparison is made with the data from the analyses of pottery from Ialysos and the veracity of the conclusions drawn from the earlier optical emission data is confirmed.