Ancient Pottery Research Articles

New data about the stability of skills for creating clay vessel shapes

The article analyzes the relative stability of skills for creating the shapes of clay vessels, both wheel-made and hand-made ones. Sources of the study included a series of “identical” vessels that were made as part of experiments conducted by employees of the Joint Team for Pottery Study in the 1970s and the Samara Expedition for the experimental study of ancient pottery in 2019–2022. Shape parameters have been identified that exhibit the greatest stability, regardless of the method of making the vessel, the type of building elements and the skill level of a craftsman. These parameters are the inclination angles of the lateral line of the shoulder-brachium frame and the body. The results of the study lead to the conclusion that these parameters can be considered as the most reliable for making conclusions based on the pottery shapes about the degree of cultural and ethnocultural homogeneity of the population groups that left archaeological sites.

Novel application of SANS provides quantitative non-destructive identification of forming techniques in late Roman and early medieval pottery from Pannonia

Within archaeological studies of ancient pottery, understanding the techniques used to form vessels from unfired clay provides significant information on the history of technology and economic systems, as well as wider cultural practices and social interactions. We introduce here a new analytical methodology, using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to investigate pottery forming techniques through the preferential orientation of nanoscale objects within pottery fabrics. Significantly, SANS is non-destructive, suitable for both coarse and fine-textured pottery fabrics, provides quantitative data, enables fast-throughput of samples, and is not significantly affected by surface modifications occurring after the primary forming stage. The use of SANS is systematically investigated through over 400 measurements of experimental vessels, and also compared with X-ray microtomography and neutron tomography. The results show that SANS can be used to differentiate wheel-throwing, coil-building, percussion-building, and coil-wheeling techniques. The archaeological application of SANS is demonstrated through a case study of 50 late Roman and early medieval (fourth–sixth century AD) pottery sherds from Hungary, spanning the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and the arrival of Barbarian polities into the region. The findings show a transition in production from predominantly wheel-throwing to coil-wheeling, but also coil-building, percussion-building, percussion-wheeling, and drawing. Such changes appear to reflect the disintegration of large-scale centrally organised Roman economic systems, and the diversification of production, consistent with the more diversified technological and cultural backgrounds of the producers themselves.

Tracing the origin of raw materials used for the production of ancient ceramics: a case study of multi-period archaeological sites in the Turopolje area (Continental Croatia)

The selection of raw materials for ancient pottery production was influenced by a variety of technological and cultural factors, underscoring the importance of characterising these materials to understand the technology of ancient societies. This research examines ancient ceramics from two multi-period archaeological sites: Staro Čiče-Gradišće (Neolithic, Copper Age, Copper/Early Bronze Age, Early Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Roman period, and Late Mediaeval period) and Kurilovec-Belinščica (Early Bronze Age and Middle/Late Bronze Age), alongside potential clayey raw materials collected near these settlements. Using a multi-analytical approach (optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, mass and emission spectrometry, and laser granulometry), the research aims to determine the characteristics of the paste recipes (raw clay and tempers) and to examine the type and provenience of the raw materials used for ancient pottery production over different periods of the past (from the Neolithic to the Late Mediaeval period). The results showed that ancient potters preferred to use moderately plastic, sandy clay, while Bronze Age potters often used highly plastic clay. Potters utilised various non-plastic tempering materials, such as sands and gravels, grog, and mollusc shells, with their choice being influenced by the need to enhance technological properties as well as by regional and culturally determined pottery traditions. Most of the ceramics are of local origin, made from easily available raw materials that represent flood sediments of the nearby Sava River. However, non-local materials were detected in Neolithic samples, indicating the presence of exchange networks among those communities.

Quantitative elemental analysis and petrographic investigation of ancient potteries from archaeological sites of Tamil Nadu, using total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

In order to investigate the elemental composition, a total of 19 potteries and two representative clay samples from Senjikothamangalam (Villupuram district) and 12 potteries and one representative clay sample from the Palayanur (Chengalpattu) archaeological sites in Tamil Nadu were analyzed using total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The presence of elements such as Fe, Ca, K, Ti, Al, Sr, Mn, P, V, Cr, Zn, Rb, Ni, Cu, Pb, Ga, Y, Bi, Br, and As were identified in the pottery and clay samples. Statistical analysis, such as Pearson correlation, cluster and principal component analysis were used to categorize the samples based on their elemental composition. The outcome of the Pearson correlation and cluster analysis corroborated that the Senjikothamangalam pottery samples (P-1 to P-19) were made using the same type of clay, except P-10. Similarly, all Palayanur pottery samples (P-20 to P-31) were manufactured from the same clay. The petrographic analysis of the potteries revealed further information about its provenance and making methods.

Testing sample selection criteria and loss of biomarkers during cleaning of archaeological unglazed pottery to maximize organic residue quantities

AbstractAs the number of studies in organic residue analysis (ORA) of ancient pottery—a sensitive but as of today also a destructive method—increases, archaeologists are interested in knowing which samples promise the biggest abundance of analytes in order to avoid unnecessary loss of artefacts. Another frequently asked question is whether the routinely performed cleaning procedure should be omitted for samples intended for ORA to preserve the availability of analytes. We tested several selection criteria commonly accessible to archaeologists (texture, position, shape) for lipid quantities in ancient pottery in order to determine the most productive sherds for analysis. Moreover, we monitored loss of lipids during the water‐and‐brush cleaning process. Beside the usually targeted straight‐chain fatty acids (FA), less abundant biomarkers such as α,ω‐dicarboxylic acids (DCA), ω‐(o‐alkylphenyl)alkanoic acids (APAA) and hydroxy fatty acids (HFA) were also screened. The highest concentrations of analytes were observed in rims of coarse‐textured plates and cooking pots, demonstrating the usefulness of the proposed criteria. The washing procedure applied here did not lead to a loss of bulk FA, although the effect on minor components was not uniform.

Unveiling the distinctive geochemical signature of fine ware through Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes: A site‐specific perspective from the site of Cales (South Italy)

AbstractThis study explores the use of three isotopic systematics—Sr, Nd, and Pb— combined together for the first time to trace the origins of ancient pottery. This approach strengthens our ability to relate raw materials to the final products. The materials selected for the analysis are from a well‐documented data set, previously subjected to a thorough mineralogical–petrographic and chemical characterization. Seventeen ceramic specimens represented by black‐glazed pottery, Terra sigillata, and fine common ware as well as production indicators such as black‐glazed pottery wasters and spacers were examined via isotope analyses. These samples were discovered in the archaeological site of Cales, presently Calvi Risorta, in South Italy. CaO‐rich clay raw materials from the area of interest were also analyzed as comparative references for the investigated ceramics. The comparison of the archaeometric data of the ceramic samples with the clay raw materials showed an affinity between the ceramics studied and local clay raw materials belonging to Mio‐Pliocene marine sediments from the Campania Apennine Mountain area. This affinity was more accurately defined through the Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopes, which show coinciding signatures among ceramic samples, production indicators, and raw materials. The method yields promising outcomes that reinforce prior experimental investigations and amplify its reliability. The multi‐isotopic methodology highlights the significance of combining geochemical data to pinpoint the origins of raw materials used for ancient ceramic production.

Study of barium copper silicate pigments on painted pottery from the Qinhan Xincheng, Western Han Dynasty (207 B.C.–8 A.D.), Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China

Lead-barium silicate system products, represented by barium copper silicate and lead-barium glass, epitomize a unique artistic craftsmanship of ancient China. Specifically, barium copper silicate products were the only known artificially synthesized blue-purple inorganic pigments in ancient China. Painted pottery decorated with barium copper silicate pigment, predominantly found in elite tombs after 2nd century B.C., is exceedingly rare and holds immense archaeological significance. This case employed multi micro-scale analytical techniques, such as ultra-depth-of-field microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, µ X-ray Diffraction, and electron probe microanalysis, for comprehensive microscopic examination of a rare Chinese Purple (CP, BaCuSi2O6) pigments on painted pottery. The analytical results confirm that the purple pigment is BaCuSi2O6, accompanied by cinnabar for the red and bone white for the white sections, suggesting the probable use of organic residues as an adhesive. Additionally, the study reveals microstructural characteristics in CP faience and CP pigments, notably the encapsulation of CP particles by quartz particles. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that the process of manufacturing purple pigment was achieved by grinding faience into fine particles and then using an organic-based adhesive to adhere these particles to the pottery. This implies that the evolutions in CP products circa the 2nd century B.C. were driven not by technological advances from lead-barium glass, but rather by shifts in application methods, reflecting an adaptation process among different cultures. This study provides new perspectives and significant insights for comprehending the interplay between barium copper silicate and lead-barium glass, reconstructing ancient pottery painting techniques, and exploring the era’s technological and cultural interactions.

Ancient Pottery, Cuisine, and Society at the Northern Great Lakes by Susan M. Kooiman (review)

Ancient Pottery, Cuisine, and Society at the Northern Great Lakes by Susan M. Kooiman (review)

PM-Vis: A Visual Analytics System for Tracing and Analyzing the Evolution of Pottery Motifs.

In Chinese archaeological research, analyzing the evolution of motifs in ancient pottery is crucial for studying the spread and growth of cultures across various eras and regions. However, such analyses are often challenging due to the complexities of identifying motifs with evolutionary connections that may manifest concurrent changes in appearance, space, and time, compounded by ineffective documentation. We propose PM-Vis, a visual analytics system for tracing and analyzing the evolution of pottery motifs. PM-Vis is anchored in a "selection-organization-documentation" workflow. In the selection stage, we design a three-fold projection paired with a motif-based search mechanism, displaying the appearance similarity and temporal and spatial proximities of all motifs or a specific motif, aiding users in selecting motifs with evolutionary connections. The organization stage helps users establish the evolutionary sequence and segment the selected motifs into distinct evolutionary phases. Finally, the documentation stage enables users to record their observations and insights through various forms of annotation. We demonstrate the usefulness and effectiveness of PM-Vis through two case studies, expert feedback, and a user study.

Alkylresorcinol detection and identification in archaeological pottery using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/Orbitrap mass spectrometry.

Alkylresorcinols (AR) are cereal-specific biomarkers and have recently been found in archaeological pots. However, their low concentrations and high susceptibility to degradation make them difficult to detect using conventional gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Here we describe the development of a more sensitive liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method to detect these compounds. A method based on the use of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to an Orbitrap mass analyser was established and validated for the detection of low-concentration ARs in pottery. During the preliminary experiments, UHPLC-Q/Orbitrap MS (ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/Orbitrap mass spectrometry) was demonstrated to be more sensitive, and a wide range of AR homologues in cereal extracts were detected, unlike UHPLC-QTOFMS (ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry) and GC/MS. The developed method was utilised to profile AR homologue distribution in modern cereal samples and reanalyse AR-containing pots from the archaeological site of Must Farm. A highly sensitive LC/MS method with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.02 μg/g and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.06 μg/g was used to profile ARs in five modern cereal grains. The obtained LOD is 250 times lower than that obtained using the conventional GC/MS approach. AR 21:0 was the most abundant homologue in all four Triticum spp.-einkorn, emmer, Khorasan wheat and common wheat. Meanwhile, AR 25:0 was the predominant homologue in barley, potentially enabling differentiation between wheat and barley. The developed LC/MS-based method was successfully used to analyse ARs extracted from Must Farm potsherds and identified the cereal species most likely processed in the pots-emmer wheat. The described method offers an alternative and more sensitive approach for detecting and identifying ARs in ancient pottery. It has been successfully utilised to detect AR homologues in archaeological samples and discriminate which cereal species-wheat and barley-were processed in the pots.

A medium‐throughput approach for improved taxonomic identification of lipids preserved in ancient pottery

AbstractOrganic residue analysis (ORA) is a valuable tool for the study of ancient diets, but conventional methods remain limited in terms of taxonomic identification or to resolve mixtures. Here, we propose a method to further explore a class of compounds—triacylglycerols (TAGs)—using high‐resolution mass spectrometry to overcome these limitations in an attempt to better characterise culinary practices. Over 70 medieval Sicilian pots and a wide range of authentic fresh products were studied by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation–mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS and MALDI‐MS/MS). MALDI‐MS analysis can distinguish fresh foodstuffs but provides little additional information regarding the contents of archaeological pottery compared to conventional ORA methods. In contrast, product ion analyses were able to deconvolute a range of animal carcass fat mixtures. In addition, detailed analysis of the composition of saturated T44 and unsaturated T50–T54 TAGs was able to provide greater taxonomic resolution regarding dairy products and plant oils.

Digital restoration and 3D visualisation of the early Neolithic pottery from Ryńsk, Poland

The archaeological site of Ryńsk in north-central Poland produced sound evidence of long-distance journeys of people and pottery from the 6th millennium BC in Central Europe by yielding a sophisticated ceramic footed bowl that can be traced to the Carpathian Basin region. Archaeology indicates that the earliest ceramic vessels had a different functional, social and ritual role, but it is difficult to convey information on the significant role of pottery in ancient societies in a way that would pique the interest of the general public. This paper presents the digital restoration and 3D visualisation of the footed bowl from Ryńsk and other accompanying ceramics that may assist in feeding the historical imagination and education about the ancient pottery making of the LBK people and can be used to provide a wider audience with new forms of engagement and interaction with the archaeological heritage of the region.

Early Aboriginal pottery production and offshore island occupation on Jiigurru (Lizard Island group), Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Aboriginal manufacture and use of pottery was unknown in Australia prior to European settlement, despite well-known ceramic-making traditions in southern Papua New Guinea, eastern Indonesia, and the western Pacific. The absence of ancient pottery manufacture in mainland Australia has long puzzled researchers given other documented deep time Aboriginal exchange networks across the continent and the close proximity of pottery-bearing Lapita and post-Lapita maritime communities in the western Pacific with ocean-going watercraft and sophisticated navigation abilities. We report the oldest securely dated ceramics found in Australia from archaeological excavations on Jiigurru (Lizard Island Group) on the Great Barrier Reef, northeast Australia. Comprehensive radiocarbon dating and Bayesian modelling constrains ceramic deposition to between 2950–2545 cal BP and 1970–1815 cal BP. This timing overlaps with late Lapita and post-Lapita ceramic traditions of southern Papua New Guinea. Geological characterisation of the sherds strongly suggests local manufacture as the vessels belong to three temper and clay groups locally sourced to northeast Australia, and most likely to Jiigurru. The oldest occupation layers date to 6510–5790 cal BP, making Jiigurru the earliest offshore island occupied on the northern Great Barrier Reef. The results demonstrate that northeast Australian First Nations communities had sophisticated canoe voyaging technology and open-sea navigational skills and were intimately engaged in ancient maritime networks, connecting them with peoples, knowledges, and technologies across the Coral Sea region.

Advancements in Characterization of Ancient Potteries from Southeast Asia: A Review of Analytical Techniques

Advancements in Characterization of Ancient Potteries from Southeast Asia: A Review of Analytical Techniques

Insights into ancient ceramic technology: a comprehensive analysis of mineralogy, chemistry and firing conditions

The intensive integration of Azerbaijan into the global economy, mainly through international gas and oil pipeline construction, has led to significant archaeological research in the past two decades. The construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline (BTC) and the Southern Caucasus Pipeline gas pipeline (SCP) prompted a four-year archaeological fieldwork program, followed by a six-year post-excavation program. The current work applied an interdisciplinary approach using various instrumental methods for studying ancient artifacts found during those projects. The thermogravimetric method and differential thermal analysis were employed to obtain insights into the production technology of the ancient pottery and information about the mineralogy of the ceramic sherds. The complex processes involved in firing the ceramic paste have been studied extensively, and patterns in mass loss ratios during different temperature ranges have been established. In total, 15 samples were investigated, and the thermogravimetric analysis of ceramic shards revealed that the firing temperature of the samples was in the range of 700 °C. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of quartz, feldspar, and clay minerals in the ceramic samples. The presence of calcite and other specific minerals is subject to the origin of the ceramic materials. The results obtained from this multidisciplinary approach provide insights into the firing technology and the origin of the ceramic samples.

The corrosion mechanism of lead-glazed pottery in Han dynasty

Ancient pottery, having endured prolonged burial in soil, invariably underwent the process of glaze corrosion. The micromorphology and structural composition of four lead-glazed pottery fragments dating back to the Han Dynasty, excavated in the Qinhan New Town within Xixian New area of Xi’an are elucidated by comprehensive analysis method. The results reveal that the corrosion products predominantly comprised PbCO3, Pb3(PO4)2, CaCO3, and Ca3(PO4)2. Concurrently, the presence of organic substances exhibiting characteristic self-excitation fluorescence in the cracks of the sample is identified through fluorescence microscopy and Fourier infrared spectroscopy. Through a comparative analysis of well-preserved and severely corroded samples, taking into account compositional analysis, observations of corrosion morphology, and the characteristics of corrosion products, it is deduced that the primary corrosion mechanisms involve chemical corrosion, microbial corrosion, and crack corrosion. This study provides a comprehensive depiction of glaze corrosion process inherent to lead-glazed pottery and establishes corresponding corrosion models.

THE INTERACTION BETWEEN A WHITE MATERIAL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE A POTTERY VESSEL FROM EASTERN EIN-SHAMS, EGYPT

This work aims to investigate a pottery vessel from eastern EIN-Shams, Egypt, lying in sandy soil from citizen lands, returning to the New Kingdom-Egypt. This pottery vessel was covered with white material from inside and outside. In terms of origin, this vessel is made of buff-colored clay; it has big pores, many cracks, and large missing areas filled with that material, with an uneven surface texture, that strongly bonds with the body pores, and shrinks away from the edges in some areas, in this way obscuring the original surface. In this respect, several physicochemical investigations in terms of chemical composition, physical properties, and nature of this white material were performed, to analyze the influence of it on the ancient pottery vessel. The analytical methods used in this research were USB digital microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The results of the USB digital microscopy showed the presence of gypsum crystals, large, flaked pottery surfaces, and quartz. SEM-EDX revealed the presence of organic fibers, chloride salts in a significant percentage, iron, and aluminum oxides. XRD investigation emphasizes the presence of gypsum and sodium chloride salts. DTA results revealed that the firing temperatures of the pottery vessel range between around 750-800°C.

Application of a stand-alone RTI measuring system with an integrated camera in cultural heritage digitisation

The Multi-Light Image Collection (MLIC) data, in most cases processed with the Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) technique, is one of the popular methods of documentation and digital representation of movable finds from an archaeological excavation. The manual (hand-held) approach to collecting this data is technically simple and still popular in the case of archaeology. However, an extensive amount of work during image collection is a strong motivation for building RTI acquisition systems, which are also popular, in most cases, in the shape of domes. The research presented in the article focuses on two aspects of building such a device. First, the study examines the effect of the placement and number of lights on the resulting RTI model for a system based on LED stripe-shaped circuits. Secondly, the camera component was studied.Recent development in the area of low-cost accessories for microcomputers resulted in a few new industrial-grade USB cameras with the possibility to take high-resolution images. Cameras designed for use with microcomputers offer broad control of the focus or exposition parameters and provide the possibility to build RTI domes with the fully integrated camera, therefore, almost complete automatization of the capturing and processing of MLIC data.This paper presents the main assumptions and elements of the dome-shaped measurement system, which enables automatic RTI data acquisition and processing together with the evaluation of light configuration used to build relightable models. Amphoras handles with stamps and ancient pottery were used as an objects to evaluate the quality of the relightable models generated from the images acquired by a programmable miniature Arducam camera. Results of comparison with professional high-quality mirrorless cameras show that the quality of images from miniature cameras can be satisfactory for some archaeological objects.

Underwater Detection of Ancient Pottery Sherds Using Deep Learning

This paper outlines the creation of a machine learning model designed to identify ancient pottery fragments near a submerged shipwreck off Modi Island, Greece. We trained multiple iterations of the YOLOv8 model using a custom dataset comprised of underwater videos taken during diving expeditions at the wreck site. The primary goal of this research is to integrate the resulting object detection system into a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for automated pottery shard recognition, thereby aiding archaeological excavations. The paper elaborates on the model's development methodology and presents comprehensive experimental and evaluative results. These findings underscore the model's potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of underwater archaeological exploration and analysis.

Mineralogical analysis and firing temperature of the ancient potteries of Tamil Nadu using spectroscopic techniques

Our curiosity about archaeological artefacts leads us to discover details about the lifestyles of our ancestors. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and thermogravimetry differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) techniques have been used to characterize the ancient potteries unearthed at the recently excavated archaeological site of Palayanur, Tamil Nadu. Minerals such as quartz (silicate group), feldspar, clay minerals (illite), calcite, hematite, magnetite, and organic carbon were identified from FT-IR analysis. Quartz had been detected in all of the samples, as evidenced by the significant absorption peaks at 794 cm−1, 795 cm−1, 779 cm−1, 780 cm−1, 781 cm−1, and 695 cm−1. The obtained 2θ values from the XRD spectrum validated the mineral’s presence as well as the pottery’s firing condition and temperature. The presence of calcite indicates that these samples were fired below 850 ℃, and the presence of hematite in the potteries indicates that they were fired in an oxidizing atmosphere. The elemental concentration and microstructure of collected pottery samples were determined by the SEM-EDX technique to elucidate the nature of the raw material used for making pottery samples.