One hundred sherds of grey: compositional and technological characterization of Medieval greyware pottery production at Cabrera d’Anoia, Catalonia, Spain

Abstract

Detailed petrographic and geochemical analyses of 100 sherds of greyware cooking pottery from the large Medieval kiln site of Cabrera d’Anoia have revealed the presence of several compositional groups that are correlated to different phases in the operation of the site. These appear to relate to changes in the extraction of local raw materials for pottery production concomitant with the development of the workshop over several centuries. Macroscopic, microstructural and mineralogical analyses have permitted the reconstruction of a consistent tradition of ceramic manufacture at d’Anoia. Close correspondence between the petrographic and geochemical characterisation of the sherds provides several well-defined compositional reference groups for this major production centre. This is permitting the identification of the products of Cabrera d’Anoia at other rural sites in Catalonia and will provide a firm basis with which to examine the supply and demand of utilitarian pottery vessels in this area during the Medieval period.