Petrographic contribution to the origin of Early Avar Age ‘Csákberény group’ ceramics

Abstract

The ‘Csákberény group’ represents a small but stylistically and compositionally distinct group of ceramics types limited to the north-eastern part of the former Roman province of Pannonia, dating between the last third of the 6th and the first quarter of the 7th century CE. This artefact horizon is known for reflecting foreign impacts in the region, especially late antique traditions. Due to their small quantity and limited geographical distribution, the ceramics of the ‘Csákberény group’ are considered to have originated from a few, or only one pottery workshop that displayed similarities with Mediterranean traditions.We examined 40% (nine samples) of all the known extant vessels currently attributed to this group (23 vessels) using polarising light optical microscopy, of which four samples were further examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). Whereas eight samples were similar in their fabrics, one sample, a pot from grave 138 of the cemetery of Csákberény showed a different features and composition from the others. This sample contained very angular unabraded mica-schist and eclogite (omphacite, garnet) fragments as temper. These rock types do not occur in the direct vicinity of any of the archaeological sites from which the sampled vessels were recovered. Based on the comparatively high pyrope content of the garnets and the jadeite content of the pyroxene as measured by SEM-EDS, it was shown that the eclogite fragments belong to the Alpine type (HP-LT) ophiolite eclogites. In Europe this type is connected to Alpine orogenic processes, and found in the territory of Western Alps, the archipelago of the Aegean Sea (Syros, Sifnos) and north-western Anatolia. Based on the archaeometric analysis, the fabric of the pot with eclogite temper differs from the geological environment of the archaeological site at which it was found, therefore, it is probable that it was made out of raw materials characteristic of distant territories. This information points to a possible point of origin of the ‘Csákberény group’, and highlights its social and economic connections within a wider European context.