Investigating the Late Chalcolithic pottery production and consumption at Valencina de la Concepción (Seville, SW-Spain): An archaeometric analysis using petrographic and LA-ICP-MS techniques

Abstract

This paper discusses the results of an archaeometric analysis carried out on undecorated Late Chalcolithic ceramics from Valencina de la Concepción, which is one of the largest and most important Chalcolithic settlements in the southern Iberian Peninsula. The purpose of the study is to contribute to the debate on the socio-economic organization and exchange networks of the site during the third millennium BCE in the Lower Guadalquivir Basin. Petrographic and chemical analysis by LA-ICP-MS of compressed ultrafine powder pellets were used to analyze selected ceramic samples (n = 42) from Valencina and reference clay samples (n = 62) from different locations in the Aljarafe plateau. This study sheds light on possible raw material sources, the choice strategy of raw materials, and certain aspects of production technologies employed for Late Chalcolithic ceramics found at Valencina de la Concepción.The archaeometric analysis revealed that a significant portion of the ceramics, especially plates and platters manufactured primarily using coarse clays, are largely non-local production. However, there was also a limited availability of local production. This study emphasizes the central role of Valencina in the exchange network of the Lower Guadalquivir Basin during the Late Chalcolithic period. This study further demonstrates the wide variety of clay resources available throughout the Aljarafe region and provides solid reference material for further archaeometric analyses of ancient ceramic materials in this region.