Archaeological Pottery Research Articles

Developing the ArchAIDE application: A digital workflow for identifying, organising and sharing archaeological pottery using automated image recognition

Developing the ArchAIDE application: A digital workflow for identifying, organising and sharing archaeological pottery using automated image recognition

ГЛИНЯНЫЕ СВЕТИЛЬНИКИ ИЗ ГРЕКО-РИМСКОГО МЕМФИСА

The article explores 15 terracotta oil lamps found during the archaeological excavations of the Centre for Egyptological Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences at Kom Tuman (Memphis, Egypt). The majority of these lamps were made in moulds, and only one — on potter’s wheel. Various types of local Egyptian clays were used for the production of the lamps. Many of the lamps are decorated with various ornaments, such as palms, dolphins, torches, and, possibly, the ‘Macedonian shield’. Similar lamps were widespread in all the territory of Egypt; equally, such lamps appear among archaeological finds in the countries neighbouring with Egypt. The Memphite lamps under study were found in mixed layers and, therefore, we have compared them with analogous lamps from other locations in order to obtain more secure dating. Based on the parallels, we date the lamps to the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods (3rd century B.C. — 3rd century A.D.). The archaeological context of the lamps indicates their possible use in households and/or in temples for illumination of indoor spaces. The lamps are archaeological evidence for the existence of active everyday life at Kom Tuman in Graeco-Roman Period which is also confirmed by other sources. The study of archaeological pottery and of papyri found in the city of Memphis and in adjacent necropoleis shows that even after the foundation of the new Ptolemaic capital Alexandria, Memphis was not abandoned but continued for centuries to be a major administrative and cultic centre. The article includes the catalogue of 15 lamps with descriptions and illustrations.

Multi-element LA-ICP-MS analysis of the clay fraction of archaeological pottery in provenance studies: a methodological investigation

This study systematically assessed 4 calibration approaches for ns-LA-ICP-MS analysis of the clay fraction in pottery and sediments.

Tecnología cerámica en la localidad arqueológica San Pablo (Península Valdés, Provincia del Chubut, Argentina)

El presente trabajo aporta nueva información a los estudios ya emprendidos en la cerámica arqueológica de la costa noreste del Chubut, cuyo objetivo general es caracterizar la variabilidad, comprender el rol y estimar la antigüedad de esta tecnología entre las sociedades cazadoras-recolectoras que la implementaron. En esta oportunidad se presentan los resultados obtenidos del estudio tecno-morfológico y petrográfico efectuado al material cerámico recuperado en la localidad arqueológica San Pablo en la Península de Valdés. El buen estado de preservación, los contextos particulares de algunos hallazgos, la variabilidad morfológica de ciertos ejemplares, así como la presencia de una pieza completa, permiten avanzar en la interpretación y discusión de la manufactura y circulación de esta tecnología en la región hacia circa los 900 años AP.

Classification of engraved pottery sherds mixing deep-learning features by compact bilinear pooling

The ARCADIA project aims at using pattern recognition and machine learning to promote a systematic analysis of the large corpus of archaeological pottery fragments excavated in Saran (France). Dating from the High Middle Ages, these sherds have been engraved with repeated patterns using a carved wooden wheel. The study of these engraved patterns allows archaeologists to better understand the diffusion of ceramic productions. In this paper, we present a method that classifies patterns of ceramic sherds by combining deep learning-based features extracted from some pre-trained Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models. A dataset composed of 888 digital patterns extracted from 3D scans of pottery sherds was used to evaluate our approach. The classification capacity of each CNN model was first assessed individually. Then, several combinations of common pooling methods using different classifiers were tested. The best result was obtained when features of the VGG19 and ResNet50 models were combined using Compact Bilinear Pooling (CBP) with a high classification rate of 95.23%.

Storage or cooking pots? Inferring pottery use through archaeomagnetic assessment of palaeotemperatures

In this paper we report the results of an archaeomagnetic and rock-magnetic study performed on a set of Neolithic and Chalcolithic potsherds from El Portalón de Cueva Mayor site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain) to investigate their thermal history and obtain information about their function during ancient times. Two types of palaeomagnetic behaviour have been observed. One yields stable and univectorial magnetization diagrams (Type 1) while the other yields multivectorial diagrams with an intermedium component interpreted as a partial thermoremanence (p-TRM) (Type 2), acquired during a partial reheating of the pottery during their use. To investigate the connection of these two types with the ancient function of the potsherds, a set of modern pots was experimentally fired and then partially reheated al known temperatures. The results obtained reproduced patterns similar to those observed in the archaeological samples. Type 1 (univectorial) samples that reached only a high heating temperature (>600 °C) during their manufacture were most probably used as storage vessels. By contrast, Type 2 (multivectorial) samples probably recorded a p-TRM acquired during their last use (reheating) related to cooking activities (<450 °C). Additionally, a detailed microprofile performed on an experimental pot heated twice at different temperatures allows interesting inferences to be drawn on the magnetic record in archaeological pottery and its implications. This study shows that the magnetic measurements can be a useful tool to infer the last re-heating temperatures in prehistoric ceramics and to relate them to the use of those pieces in the past.

Molecular and isotopic analyses on prehistoric pottery from the Virués-Martínez cave (Granada, Spain)

The analysis of the organic residues in archaeological pottery usually involves the use chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques. The identification of organic compounds processed in archaeological vessels, which generally degrade over archaeological timescales, provides insights about their origin and uses of the vessels. This paper provides an advance of archaeometric characterization of the organic residues in seventeen pottery vessels from the end of the 4th millennium BCE found in the Virués-Martínez cave (Granada, Spain), using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS), and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS). To our knowledge this is the first study on the use of UPLC-HRMS on archaeological residues. Despite the fact that the identification of plant remains continues to be elusive, this study demonstrates the potential usefulness of UPLC-HRMS technique to study the polar fraction of plant residues, thus allowing us to formulate more specific hypotheses about the vegetal compounds that have survived in association with the pottery vessels (erucamide, matricarin, piptamine, piceatannol). Our results indicate that the occupants of the cave used the vessels to process plant materials and also degraded animal fats (ruminant fat) and it is very likely that the vessels were used for a variety of purposes, with accumulation of by-products over time, and were not made exclusively for funerary practices. The δ13C values C16:0 and C18:0 fatty acids obtained open a debate on the consumption of dairy compounds in the Iberian Peninsula during the end of the Neolithic and beginning of the Copper Age.

Influence of porosity on lipid preservation in the wall of archaeological pottery

Porosity of archaeological pottery is a key parameter used to assess its ability to trap lipids during the use of the pot and to preserve them over time. Mercury intrusion porosimetry and gas chromatography were used to study the distribution of porosity and the preservation of lipids in different chrono‐cultural contexts. The data obtained show that the porosity pattern, related to the raw materials and the savoir‐faire of the potters, influences the amount of lipids accumulated in the pottery. A significant overall porosity together with a high level of small pores is generally favourable for the preservation of lipids, but variations related to the environmental context are observed.

Chemical characterization of archaeological pottery of the Lower Paraná River

Abstract This paper analyzed the chemical composition of archaeological pottery produced by hunter-gatherers and horticulturist populations of the late Holocene of the lower Paraná basin. An energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer was used to analyze the chemical composition of the sherds. The results obtained indicated that the analyzed samples, within certain parameters, showed some variability. The differences were even more significant when comparing the chemical composition of the pottery of the hunter-gatherer groups and that of the horticulturists. The main components identified in the archaeological pottery were grouped primarily with the location of production, that is, they were the result of local manufacturing. Within the trace-elements, the greatest variations in composition were observed in the strontium, which was assumed to vary in concentration levels throughout the region.

A Plan to Document and Treatment an Archaeological Pottery Amphora from Early Dynastic - Helwan Cemetery

This research is concerned with putting a plan for documenting and treating an Archaeological pottery Amphorae, dating back to Early Dynastic. It was discovered in Helwan Cemetery, which is considered one of the most important Archaeological sites in Egypt, and has not yet revealed all its secrets. The pottery Amphorae was exposed to physical and chemical damage during burial and after excavation, from interactions with various damage factors. The damage extent after excavation has varied between the effect of the burial residues inside and outside the Amphorae, the cracks in the thickness of the body showing, clearly, in addition to the effect of high relative humidity with high temperature degrees on the crystallization of salts on the internal and external surface and between the crystals of the body which led to crusting and flaking off the surface. The components of the damaged pottery Amphorae will be identified through the use of different methods of documentation such as AutoCAD and other methods, and then the appropriate examination and analysis methods to identify the damage products, and then choice the treatment plan, using the Digital Optical Microscope, the Scanning Electron Microscope with the energy dispersion unit SEM-EDX, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) to identify the crystallized mineral compounds to the body or deteriorate products, as well as differential thermal analysis (DTA) to determine the approximate firing degree, because they have an important role in determining the steps and the materials of treatment. It is recommended through this study that the treatment plan is suitable for the conditions in which the Amphorae will be present, whether it will be in storage or exhibition environment.

Damage quantification of archaeological pottery in Sheikh Hamad “Athribis” Sohag-Egypt

Abstract Many archaeological potteries in Sheikh Hamad (Athribis) Sohag, Egypt suffer from different processes, which led to many deterioration forms. Samples collected from Athribis were submitted to qualitative and quantitative measurements through using different techniques to evaluate their durability states. Significant information derived from these techniques prove that our materials are composed of Si, Al, Fe, Mg, K, Ca, Na and Cl as the main elements of Quartz Albite, Microcline, Calcite and Hemetite (main components of Nile clays) and Halite (main salt characterizes Egyptian land). In addition, SEM reveals that the samples are characterizes by cohesion of the granules, non homogeneous texture and different size pores in addition to degradation, dissolution features and cracks. Finally, it can be concluded that most of these artifacts are affected by two main aggressive mechanisms: their burial environment (before excavation) and aired environment (after excavation). These process that finally led to some aggressive deterioration forms.

Recent Publications on Archaeological Ceramic Analyses and their Contributions to the Study of Ancient Pottery Technology

Recent Publications on Archaeological Ceramic Analyses and their Contributions to the Study of Ancient Pottery Technology

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of surface food residues in pre-Columbian ceramics from the southern Pacific of Costa Rica as evidence of prehistoric human diets

Introduction: to understand and interpret the consumption of plants and animals by humans in the past requires the investigation of different lines of evidence. Identifiable macroscopic remains of plants and animals, for example seeds and bones, are frequently found at archaeological sites and provide key data on food resources. Their analysis is complemented by the study of pollen grains or phytoliths of cultivated plants within archaeological horizons or in sediment cores recovered from lakes and wetlands near archaeological sites. Another important source of information on human diets in the past consists of food residues preserved in or on artefacts excavated from archaeological sites. Objective: to examine food residues in archaeological pottery from coastal and interior sites in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica. Methods: we focus on isotopic analysis of carbonized food residues preserved on the inner surfaces of ceramic pots, plates, and other ceramic pieces from archaeological excavations in the intermediate zone (elevations 500-1500m) and coastal zone of the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica. Isotopic analysis of surface food residues on pottery relies on the fact that stable isotopes of carbon (12C and 13C) and nitrogen (14N and 15N) in foods differ based on the photosynthetic pathway of plants and on trophic level. Results: in our analysis of material from twelve sites we found evidence of diets with high amounts of C4 plants (likely maize), legumes, herbivores, and mixtures, but we did not find robust evidence of food residues with isotopic signatures characteristic of reef animals and mollusks, even though some sites are shell mounds. Conclusion: our research represents one of the first studies of surface food residues from Costa Rican pottery, and indicates the potential for studies of this type to strengthen understanding of indigenous subsistence patterns through time and across Costa Rican archaeological regions.

Application of X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy to provenance studies of Algerian archaeological pottery

The North African regions boast a multimillenary tradition of pottery production that represents a decisive progress in all societies. In this paper, we present the analysis of several fragments of pottery dating from the Middle Ages and collected in the archaeological site of Gouraya in Béjaïa (Algeria). Energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence measurements were performed to obtain the elemental composition of the clays and to attempt a classification of the samples through multivariate analysis methods, connecting them to the archaeological information about the sites. Hierarchical clusters analysis (HCA) identified two possible different groups, related to different production sites, even if only one source of clay seem to be used, consistently with the geological contest. Based on the results, a tentative provenance interpretation could be proposed on historical bases. We put in place a strategy that made it possible to perform provenance studies respecting sample integrity as we aim to extend our research also to integer and well‐preserved object from museum, to create a database for Algerian production of in the Middle Ages.

Rock-magnetic and color characteristics of archaeological samples from burnt clay from destructions and ceramics in relation to their firing temperature

Determination of ancient firing temperatures of archaeological pottery is a widely discussed topic in archaeometry. Here, a set of magnetic characteristics (magnetic susceptibility, isothermal and anhysteretic remanences, hysteresis parameters) and color parameters were studied for a collection of pottery fragments and burnt clay from house destructions. The results show that magnetite and hematite of superparamagnetic to single domain grain size are the main iron oxides produced during heating. Hematite fraction is more important and frequently detected in pottery sherds than in burnt clay from destructions. An inverse linear regression was obtained between the estimated firing temperature and the ratio value/chroma, which is shown to be site specific for pottery samples. For burnt house destructions, the regression is less well constrained and most probably reflects differences in the raw material. Consideration of rock-magnetic parameters against firing temperature estimates reveals a direct link between saturation magnetization and ancient firing temperature for burnt clay from house destructions. In contrast, this link is inverse and worse defined for pottery materials. This different behavior is attributed to different prevailing processes of iron oxide transformations in burnt clay and pottery, related to the specific firing conditions.

Computer-Assisted Orientation and Drawing of Archaeological Pottery

Archaeologists spend considerable time orienting and drawing ceramic fragments by hand for documentation, to infer their manufacture, the nature of the discovery site and its chronology, and to develop hypotheses about commercial and cultural exchanges, social organisation, resource exploitation, and taphonomic processes. This study presents a survey of existing solutions to the time-consuming problem of orienting and drawing pottery fragments. Orientation is based on the 3D geometry of pottery models, which can now be acquired in minutes with low-cost 3D scanners. Several methods are presented: they are based on normal vectors, or circle fittings, or profile fittings. All these methods seek to determine the optimal position of the rotation axis. We also present and discuss new approaches and improvements to existing methods. We have developed a suite of functions for the computer-assisted orientation and drawing of archaeological pottery. The profile and contours of the fragment, as well as any possible decoration, can be depicted in various ways: photorealistic rendering or dotted patterns, calculated by ambient occlusion, combined or not with artificial light. The general workflow, evaluated using both synthetic and real-world fragments, is rapid, accurate, and reproducible. It drastically reduces the amount of routine work required to document ceramic artefacts. The information produced, together with the 3D representation of the fragments, can easily be archived and/or exchanged within the archaeological community for further research. The source code (built in the R environment), together with an installation notice and examples, is freely downloadable.

A linguagem da cerâmica Guaraní: sobre a persistência das práticas e materialidade (parte 1)

Este artigo apresenta a linguagem da cerâmica registrada nos dicionários Tesoro e Vocabulario de la lengua Guaraní, publicados respectivamente em 1639 e 1640 pelo missionário jesuíta Antonio Ruiz de Montoya. Selecionamos 445 palavras e frases para compor cenários etnográficos. Nosso objetivo é compreender a cadeia operatória de produção das vasilhas cerâmicas Guaraní e alguns dos contextos de seus usos domésticos. O léxico apresenta grande potencial para estudos de linguística histórica comparada com outras línguas do tronco Tupí e de tecnologia cerâmica arqueológica.

Cholesterol degradation in archaeological pottery mediated by fired clay and fatty acid pro-oxidants

Cholesterol is generally absent in animal fat residues preserved in archaeological ceramic vessels. It is known from edible oil refining that during bleaching with activated clay sterols are degraded, largely via oxidation. Laboratory heating experiments using fired clay from replica pottery vessels promoted rapid degradation of cholesterol via oxidation. Furthermore, heating cholesterol with fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated) revealed additional degradation to occur independently of the ceramic matrix. As both conditions are met in archaeological pottery during animal (and plant) product processing involving heating, the very rare detection of sterols in organic residues can be explained.

Ancient proteins from ceramic vessels at \xc7atalh\xf6y\xfck West reveal the hidden cuisine of early farmers

The analysis of lipids (fats, oils and waxes) absorbed within archaeological pottery has revolutionized the study of past diets and culinary practices. However, this technique can lack taxonomic and tissue specificity and is often unable to disentangle signatures resulting from the mixing of different food products. Here, we extract ancient proteins from ceramic vessels from the West Mound of the key early farming site of Çatalhöyük in Anatolia, revealing that this community processed mixes of cereals, pulses, dairy and meat products, and that particular vessels may have been reserved for specialized foods (e.g., cow milk and milk whey). Moreover, we demonstrate that dietary proteins can persist on archaeological artefacts for at least 8000 years, and that this approach can reveal past culinary practices with more taxonomic and tissue-specific clarity than has been possible with previous biomolecular techniques.

PIXE contribution for a database of Phoenician pottery in Lebanon

The study the ancient Phoenician cult place of Kharayeb, in the rural hinterland of Tyre, southern of Lebanon, dated to the Iron Age and Hellenistic periods is particularly helpful in evaluating the complexity and variability of the so called “Hellenism” and of “Greek cultural influences” in the Phoenician world. The PIXE analytical technique was used to characterize the elemental composition of several artefacts from this archaeological site, mainly figurines and some artisanal objects, with an attempt to analyze geological samples that could be potential clay sources in the area. Furthermore, the PIXE information about the composition of the studied objects helped to understand if the figurines were locally produced or imported from the coast and how was the process of production connected to the sanctuary. Hence, particle induced X-ray emission technique PIXE was used to determine the elemental composition of about 57 excavated fragments of figurines and pottery from Kharayeb site, as well as from two another archaeological sites, Jemjim and Tyre which is the prestigious city of antiquity, located on the eastern Mediterranean coast. Then, PIXE analyses with multivariate statistical methods were used to compare and to reveal characteristic groups. Finally, PIXE technique contributed to establish a first database of chemical composition of Phoenician pottery, which will broaden the existing database currently related only to archaeological pottery from coastal sites in Lebanon. Therefore, this work will probably be used for any future archaeological study on Phoenician pottery in the Phoenician colonies in the Mediterranean basin.