Late Sarmatian pottery workshop in Nagymágocs–Paptanya

Abstract

In this study, we present the results of the first scientific analysis of the micaceous-pebbly ceramic material uncovered from the late Sarmatian settlement in Nagymágocs–Paptanya, Hungary. It is noteworthy that 810 micaceous-pebbly ceramic fragments were found in the settlement. In this respect the settlement has outstanding importance among the late Sarmatian sites of the Southern Great Plain. Evidenced by the excavated pottery workshop, the associated pottery kiln, the clay-extracting pits and the ceramic slags and clay pieces found in the objects, there were Sarmatian age pottery activities at Nagymágocs–Paptanya. However, it was debatable, whether the micaceous-pebbly ceramics were produced locally or the finished products were transported to the settlement. The origin of the temper used in the ceramics also raises questions, as the micaceous rock type found in the ceramics is not accessible in the immediate geological environment of the site. 15 sherds were selected for examination both by the conventional typological methods and petrographic microscopic analysis. The ceramic analyses were also supplemented by the petrographic analysis of a gneiss fragment, which was found in the side wall of the pottery workshop. Based on our results, the vessels proved to be the products of the same manufacturing tradition which applied freshly crushed micaceous gneiss tempering (providing both the denominating mica and pebble grains of ceramics). In one case, additional grog tempering was also detected. Exact petrographic relations could not be drawn of the gneiss temper in ceramics and the gneiss fragment found at the workshop. Homogeneity of the micaceous-pebbly pottery at Nagymágocs and the ideal conditions of pottery production at the settlement can indicate that this ceramic type was made locally and the tempering material was transported to the settlement.