Pottery Materials Research Articles

Preparation and Research of Skeletal Pt-C Compounds

Platinum matrix composite is a new type of functional pottery material, which has excellent mechanical, electrical and optical properties. Due to the complexity of the synthesis method and the expensive equipment, the development of cermet material is extremely slow, so that the method to solve the problem is urgently needed. In view of the excellent performance of the Pt-C compounds, by hydrothermal method and high temperature roasting method, a new synthesis method for the composite is proposed using melamine and four platinum chloride at 60 °C by the polymerization reaction with a molar ratio of 20:1. The synthetic of Pt-C compounds provides a new synthesis method and new ideas and at the same time the Pt-C compounds has excellent performance, showing the excellent applications in machining.

Модель обработки массового керамического материала

Модель обработки массового керамического материала

Classificazione della ceramica e analisi dei contesti all’inizio dell’età del Bronzo: la capanna F del villaggio di Filo Braccio (Filicudi, Isole Eolie)

Classificazione della ceramica e analisi dei contesti all’inizio dell’età del Bronzo: la capanna F del villaggio di Filo Braccio (Filicudi, Isole Eolie)

Bard Panir: A Station or Settlement of Proto-Writing in the North of Khouzestan

Bard Panir: A Station or Settlement of Proto-Writing in the North of Khouzestan

Provenance of pharaonic potsherds, Sharkiya Governorate, Egypt

The mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the pharaonic potsherds from two archeological sites (Qantir and Tall San Al Hagr), Sharkiya Governorate, Egypt, have been investigated to infer their paleoweathering, provenance, and tectonic setting. The pharaonic pottery materials are classified mainly as Fe-shale. The mineralogy determined by X-ray diffractometry for the pharaonic pottery materials reveals that smectite and illite are the dominant clay minerals and smectite > illite. The non-clay minerals are dominated by feldspar (plagioclase and microcline), quartz with minor amounts of calcite, iron oxides (magnetite and goethite), and mica (muscovite). The chemical index of alteration (CIA), plagioclase index of alteration (PIA), and chemical index of weathering (CIW) values indicate moderate degree of weathering of the source material in a semiarid climate. The index of compositional variability (ICV) of pharaonic pottery materials is more than 1, suggesting it is compositionally less mature. The major and trace element concentrations suggested that the pharaonic pottery materials were likely derived from felsic (granitic) sources and deposited in passive continental margin of a synrift basin. The inferred tectonic setting for the pharaonic pottery materials in Sharkiya Governorate is in agreement with the tectonic evolutionary history of the north Nile Delta, Egypt, during Oligocene-post Pliocene.

Castrum Zwitinense. Wczesnośredniowieczny zespół osadniczy w Grążawach nad Drwęcą jako ośrodek centralny

Castellan strongholds met several essential functions resulting from their rank – the administrative, economic, military, judicial, residential and religious ones. All of them, as indicated by written and archaeological sources, refer to Świecie on the Drweca River. To duties of stronghold-territorial administration belonged marketplace and route peace. This entitled the castellan to salary in trade and communication taxes income. He received half of taverns’ incoms, market tax and tolls on bridges and river crossings within the castellany. Military role of the centre in Świecie on Drweca resulted from both the strategic defensive position itself – on a peninsular elevation at the confluence of two rivers, on the outskirts of the Piast state, at the trade route (bridge crossing on the Brynica River), as well as the vast and impressive form of defensive ramparts. It was also associated with settlement and economic importance, resulting from the need to keep the stronghold crew. The results of excavations conducted in several seasons allowed to identify remains of inside buildings of both stronghold’s segments, its fortifications, as well as different phases of use. In the light of data resulting from the pottery material analysis as well as radiocarbon and dendrochronological dates, the time of functioning of the settlement complex in Świecie on Drweca is determined to the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries to the first half of the 13th century, taking into account several phases of its use. About the mid-11th century an open settlement was formed, it is possible that in the second half of the 11th century or at the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries was built a two segment fortress as a single urban complex, which was destroyed several times. The first traces of at least partial destruction by fire of the stronghold fortifications date back to the mid- 11th century, the later ones probably to the end of the 12th century. We also know that the stronghold along with the adjacent settlement was still in operation in the first half of the 13th century, however, it is hard to determine, if in the late Middle Ages it was settled in full, because faint traces from this period exclude its intensive use.

Producción de cerámicas griegas arcaicas en Huelva

A fines de la década de los 80 del siglo pasado fue diferenciado en Huelva un conjunto de cerámicas griegas arcaicas caracterizadas por una pasta de coloración verdosa amarillenta. La procedencia de estas cerámicas, desconocidas hasta la fecha en otros yacimientos, había permanecido sin determinar. El presente trabajo demuestra una producción in situ fundamentada en la exclusividad de la localización, las particularidades formales y decorativas de los tipos documentados, las anomalías malformativas de un ejemplar anfórico y, definitivamente, los resultados de los análisis de arcillas mediante difracción de rayos X y activación neutrónica. El primer método evidenció la formación durante la cocción de fases cristalinas compatibles con la composición de los materiales arcillosos ricos en carbonatos de los depósitos locales; el segundo, una estrecha similitud entre la composición química de las cerámicas y dichas arcillas locales. Un hallazgo particularmente llamativo lo constituye la detección de oro y plata en las pastas cerámicas. Las mismas determinaciones analíticas en dos muestras de otro grupo mal delimitado de cerámicas griegas arcaicas, caracterizadas por pastas de coloraciones variables entre anaranjadas, rojizas y amarillentas, engobes rojizos y escasa calidad, señalan que una parte de estas cerámicas, o quizás la mayoría, también fueron producidas localmente.

Sorption of cesium from aqueous solutions by some Egyptian pottery materials

Removal of Cs(I) from aqueous solutions using low-cost adsorbents such as Egyptian pottery materials under different experimental conditions was investigated. Three kinds of pottery, in addition to their raw materials were tested. Instrumental characterizations of the Egyptian pottery materials were performed by different techniques such as XRF and XRD. The effects of pH, initial metal concentration, shaking time, adsorbent weight and temperature on the removal of Cs(I) from aqueous solutions by the pottery materials were studied. The results indicated that the optimum pH for the removal of Cs(I) was found to be 7.0 for all types of pottery materials. The present study suggested raw pottery materials to be potentially low cost sorbent for the removal of Cs+ ions from aqueous solutions more than fired pottery materials.

Cauixi em cerâmica arqueológica da região de Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais: inclusão de esponjas processadas ou exploração de depósitos sedimentares com espículas?

Resumo Este artigo apresenta a primeira identificação do cauixi em cerâmica arqueológica na região de Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais. Trata-se de um estudo zooarqueológico que aborda as escolhas pretéritas feitas pelos ameríndios no que tange à presença de espículas de esponjas dulcícolas no processo de produção cerâmica. A partir dos elementos faunísticos detectados na coleção do sítio Vereda III, juntamente com informações obtidas de registros etnográficos e de pesquisas arqueológicas que tratam da presença do cauixi em cerâmica, é discutido se a presença desse elemento no material é fruto de coleta de esponjas dulcícolas, preparo e inclusão na pasta, ou se ele advém da exploração de depósitos sedimentares com espículas. O trabalho aponta para uma necessária revisão do material cerâmico arqueológico da tradição Aratu-Sapucaí em Minas Gerais, em que a identificação do cauixi e a sua proveniência devem ser consideradas.

Quondam castrum Pin w świetle najnowszych badań archeologicznych

Archaeological excavations in Pien (Dąbrowa Chelminska commune) were carried out by the Institute of Archaeology of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun in 2003–2007 and continued in 2008. During this last season the interest of researchers focused on site 1, within which was an early medieval stronghold and, situated directly on its remains, was a late medieval motte. The stronghold in Pien drew the attention of historians as early as the 19th century due to several medieval documents from 1222, 1247–1248 and 1285. A small amount of data on the history of the locality in the 13th century became the foundation for a wideranging polemic amongst historians. Already from the beginning of the 20th century the possibility of close administrative ties between the stronghold in Pien, the Wyszogrod castellany and the Powala family estate with its centre in Pien was pointed out in literature. Another area that was researched was an attempt to clarify the rights to the locality of Świetopelk, Duke of Pomerania and Konrad, Duke of Mazovia. The main aim of the excavations conducted in 2008 was a comprehensive study of the remains of the Teutonic Order residential-defence feature located on the mound. Two trenches were set: one (trench 9/08), with dimensions of 5 × 5 m, in the southern part of the motte, and the second (trench 10/08) with dimensions of 4 × 2 m, on its western slope. In the first trench it was expected that the course of the southern wall of the feature and the location of an annex with a possible entrance would be unearthed. The second trench was set to verify the existence of cultural layers at the edge of the early medieval stronghold and the late medieval motte. Archaeological excavations carried out over six seasons provided data which complements the existing hypotheses. Four phases of the stronghold occupation in the Early Middle Ages were identified. The researchers failed to link the youngest phase, dated from the 11th century to the 11th/12th century, with the recorded remains of the fortifications, hence the hypothesis of the open nature of the settlement in the early 12th century. This suggests that the stronghold in Pien, mentioned in the document from Lonyz as quondam castrum , ceased to have defensive functions at the time when the document was issued by the office of Konrad, Duke of Mazovia. Based on the pottery material, it is assumed that the end of the early medieval settlement in Pien is roughly the turn of the 11th century. However, due to the intensification of hostilities in this part of Polish territory, it is impossible to unequivocally prove who destroyed the stronghold.

New ceramic data from East Kalimantan: Pottery chronology and the cord-marked and red-slipped sherds of Liang Abu's layer 2

Archaeological research in the Liang Abu rock shelter (East Kalimantan) led to the discovery and analysis of a pottery assemblage, including red-slipped, cord-marked and incised pottery sherds, radiocarbon dated to 1672±21 BP and 1524±22 BP. In order to discuss our findings we undertook a reappraisal of the pottery material and associated radiocarbon datations from archaeological sites on Borneo Island. This provided us with an appropriate framework for a comparative analysis, introducing Kalimantan inland regions to the technological network of Neolithic Island South East Asia.

Mineralogical composition and functionality of clays used for pottery education by physically challenged learners at the Ikwezi-Lokusa Educational Centre, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Clays used for pottery education to physically challenged learners were mineralogically analysed to appraise their suitability both for usage in making pottery products and convenience for the learners. The suitability is alluded to the fact that the clays have undergone basic beneficiation which include grinding, removal of unwanted materials through sieving, prior to their usage. The clays were mineralogically characterised using Munsell Soil Color Chart, X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD) and optical microscopy. Results revealed that the color of the samples were light yellow brown to white. Mineral phases identified by XRPD depicted both quartz (SiO 2 ) and kaolinite as the dominant minerals in the samples with traces of smectite ((Na,Ca)(Al,Mg) 6 (Si 4 O 10 ) 3 (OH) 6-n (H 2 O)), mica (AB 2-3 (Al,Si)Si 3 O 10 )(F,OH) 2 ) and feldspar (Na/K(AlSi 3 O 8 )). Optical morphology tests depicted quartz particles were generally coarse; and angular to very angular in morphology. Due to the beneficiation process the quartz particles were reduced making the clays easy to handle during both creation and firing stages of the pottery making. The mineralogical composition of the clays influenced their functionality as raw materials for pottery. Keywords: Clay processing, color, disability, kaolinite, quartz, X-ray powder diffraction.

Raw Materials for Archaeological Pottery from the Campania Region of Italy: A Petrophysical Characterization

We performed petrophysical analyses on 34 clayey samples of different geological origin within the Campania region of Italy in order to determine possible sources of raw materials used to produce ancient pottery. Possible raw material sources can be grouped into high‐CaO clays (HCC) and low‐CaO clays (LCC). HCC are mainly represented by more recent (Miocene‐Pleistocene) basinal sediments whereas LCC tend to be associated with basinal, alluvial, and pyroclastic deposits. A chemical comparison between clayey raw materials, modern ceramic replicas, and Campanian archaeological ceramics of several typologies (common ware, cooking ware, fine tableware, amphorae, and bricks) from 8th century B.C. to the Middle Ages (a total of 350 ceramic samples) indicates that HCC were extensively used for common wares and that these were either mixed with temper or levigated. In contrast, most of the LCC were used for the production of cookware. We also analyzed the technological potential of the sampled raw materials, taking into consideration their actual and possible uses. We observed that most HCC deposits were well suited for tableware and amphorae, whereas LCC were better for cookware and some fine tableware.

Use of alumina phosphate waste to produce building materials

Abstract The generation of a fine fraction of sedimentary alumina phosphate before the manufacturing process of phosphoric acid –used as fertilizer– poses a crucial environmental issue related to the large quantities of fines stored for a long time in the wildlife without treatment or recycling in the region of Thiès in Sénégal by the Industries Chimiques du Sénégal (ICS) and the Société Sénégalaise des Phosphates de Thiès (SSPT). This work deals with the use of the fines particles of phosphate generated by the physical processing (crushing, transport and screening) of the raw material by the both mining companies. These fines particles of phosphates cover all the fauna and flora surrounding the sector with whitish dust particularly during the Harmattan, a hot and dry wind, while they can be leached during the rainy season to contaminate groundwater and then cause diseases to the populations who drink that water. Indeed, these materials, which are stored in large quantities as “waste”, and which pollute, the space and the environment, can be recycled as refractory materials useful in manufacturing such as bricks or paving blocks. The purpose of this study is to find, from these discarded fines that are not yet processed, a good and new material in terms of physical and mechanical characteristics that will meet a customary standard. This will allow not only to reduce their potential hazard by reducing the pollution for the consumption of the fines in order to generate a useful material especially in the surrounding villages of the mining sector, but also to employ young people in working age in this fines recycling process, to create jobs and therefore additional economic resources that allow a better life because the majority of the youngsters from these areas are unemployed. The formulation of a well-known mixture containing fines of sedimentary alumina phosphate of particles size ranging between 0.063 mm to 5 mm, with chemical composition similar to that of volcanic slag, sodium silicate called water-glass as binder of mineral elements; and water, led to the manufacturing of geomaterials blocks with 20×10×6 cm3 size by baking them several hours on an oven at the constant temperature of 225°C. The sodium silicate density was 1.4. Good mechanical and physical characteristics were achieved through systematic testing. Strength splitting rupture tests, total water content determination, size measurements of the blocks (length, width and thickness) as well as the loss on ignition on ambient atmosphere were achieved on the blocks after treatment for a complete identification. Average values of 3.03 MPa and 2.5% were obtained as results respectively for the splitting rupture strength and for the total water content. Negative variations of −2.05 mm, −0.59 mm and 1.69 mm on average values were obtained respectively on their length, their width and their thickness for a value of 5.30% of loss on ignition. The blocks are exposed on the fire on their upper surface whilst the heating effect falls of rapidly at the other side. The deduction of the compressive resistance strength from the average value of splitting rupture gave a value of 40.5 MPa. This value testifies very good mechanical resistance strength of the material which is made by the fines of phosphate. These characteristics obtained are compared here to the European Standard values EN 1338 for paving blocks. The values obtained for all the tests attest good manufacturing material. This new material can also be used as refractory materials in the ovens and in pottery materials.

Adsorption Isotherm Studies of Chromium (VI) from Aqueous Solutions Using Jordanian Pottery Materials

Removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution using low-cost adsorbents such as Jordanian Pottery materials under different experimental conditions was investigated in this study. The effects of initial metal concentration, agitation time, pH on the removal of Cr(VI) were studied. In order to investigate the sorption isotherm, four equilibrium models, Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin and Radushkevich, and Tempkin isotherm models, were analyzed. The effect of solution pH on the adsorption onto pottery was studied in the pH range 1-5. Adsorption of Cr(VI) is highly pHdependent and the results indicate that the optimum pH for the removal was found to be 3 for all types of pottery materials. The thermodynamic parameters (free energy change G, enthalpy change S and entropy change H) for the adsorption have been evaluated and therefore, it was showed the spontaneous and endothermic process of the adsorption of Cr(VI) on the pottery materials.

Analysis of thermal phases in calcareous Iron Age pottery using FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy

The work deals with the FT-IR and micro-Raman spectroscopy study of the pseudo-amorphous and crystalline thermal phases in the composition of calcareous Iron Age pottery from the Galilee. The application of second-derivative and curve-fitting techniques improves the identification of the thermal phases in the composition of the pottery and makes it possible to analyze the pseudo-amorphous phases which are formed during the firing of the clayey raw material to pottery. This technique makes it possible to distinguish between meta-smectite and meta-kaolinite and to estimate the firing temperature of the pottery. The Micro-Raman spectroscopy is sensitive to the structural degree of ordering of the thermal phases and enables point analysis of peculiar components in the composition of the pottery. Based on the spectroscopic study, it is concluded that the calcareous pottery contained large amounts of microcrystalline-recarbonated calcite mixed with the meta-clay. The large amount of recarbonated calcite in the pottery material and the relatively low firing temperature indicates that instead of sintering the clay, lime technology was used for the cementation of the calcareous vessels. This process took place after the firing by recarbonation of the decomposed calcite which leads to cementation of the vessels with microcrystalline calcite.

Lepsius Tombs in the Giza Necropolis Rediscovered: Preliminary Report on the Russian Archaeological Mission at Giza Excavations 2006–2008*

Preliminary results are presented of the excavations of the Russian Archaeological Mission at Giza in 2006–2008. The objective of the mission's work was the Fifth Dynasty rock-cut tombs on the eastern edge of the Eastern Necropolis. Several tombs were noted by Lepsius and Mariette, but they have never been the subject of a full report. The iconographic, epigraphic, and pottery materials from Tombs 12 (=LG 77) and 15 (=LG 76), as well as one further tomb newly discovered in this area (Tomb 11), are presented and analysed. The preliminary dating of the tombs in this area is to the end of the Fifth Dynasty.

Magnetic detection of ship ballast deposits and anchorage sites in King Herod's Roman harbour, Caesarea Maritima, Israel

Ballast stone deposits are a common feature of sediments in ancient harbour basins but are often overlooked as a potential source of archaeological information. Recent geophysical investigations at Caesarea Maritima in Israel have discovered a thick, laterally extensive ballast layer in the area seaward of the 1st c. BC Roman harbour. The ballast deposits were identified by low-relief mounds on the seabed with elevated magnetic intensities. Jet probing and excavation of magnetic anomalies at several locations revealed a 20–60 cm thick rubble layer containing large quantities of Late Roman and Byzantine pottery, local sedimentary boulders (kurkar sandstone, limestone cobbles) and foreign igneous and metamorphic boulders (granite, schist, volcanics; ca. 50%). The foreign boulders and pottery identify the rubble layer as ballast and ships refuse jettisoned by merchant ships outside the harbour. The strong magnetic contrast between the ballast deposits and the natural seabed sediments is attributed to the high magnetic susceptibility (>10 −3 SI) of crystalline boulders and pottery materials within the ballast rubble. AMS 14C and OSL dates and pottery evidence indicate the ballast accumulation began in the Late Roman period (ca. 200–330 AD) and continued well into the Late Byzantine (ca. 7th c. AD). The main phase of ballast deposition (ca. 4th–5th c. AD) coincided with a decline in the state of Caesarea's harbour following a destructive tsunami event in the early 2nd c. AD and records a shift to a more intensive use of the area seaward of the harbour as an anchorage and ballast lightening area.

Bucureşti – centrul istoric. Campania 2007. Raport preliminar privind cercetările arheologice efectuate pe strada Smârdan / Bucarest – Historical Center. Archaeological researches in Smârdan Street

During the XVII century the historical documents mentioned a „ Lane going from the Princely Court towards the Greek’s Church’ while later on, until the second half of the XIX century the street was known as the German Lane. It acquired the present day name with the end of the Independence War in 1878. The 2007 excavations were the first ones focusing on the entire street. No archaeological remains were identified on the segment stretching from Lipscani St to Sf. Dumitru St. Foundations of brick constructions were exposed throughout the next segment, from Sf. Dumitru St. to Şelari St. Several fragments of wall foundations were observed at street numbers 30, 37, 39 and 41 and while dismanteling the sidewalk other short wall remains were exposed at street numbers 14, 26, 27, 28, 29. The excavations also uncovered the outlines of four XIX century constructions and one from the XVIII century. Other features included two garbage pits and remains of the old street paved with timber. The trench at no. 41 also yielded an area paved with small river boulders. A large number of pot sherds was recovered, resulted from various pottery types and also a large range of glass items. The majority was found within the cultural layer and only few from closed complexes such as pits or cellars. The ceramics was very fragmented, dating mostly from the XVII– XIX centuries. A major drawback constitutes the fact that this period is at the confluence between Late Medieval archaeology and ethnography, preventing a more refined chronology. The pottery material was grouped in two – the XVI– XVII centuries and the XVIII– XIX centuries, hoping that further publications will be more detailed. Mixed with the above mentioned fragments, isolated sherds, typical for the Dridu culture (X century) also occurred, in the soil resulted while digging the wall foundations.

Archaeological Investigations on the Small Islands of Aiwa Levu and Aiwa Lailai, Lau Group, Fiji

ABSTRACT We present archaeological data from the small limestone islands of Aiwa Levu (1.21 km2) and Aiwa Lailai (1.0 km2), Lau Group, Fiji. Surveys revealed prehistoric occupations of a sinkhole cave, rockshelters, and a fortified site. We excavated six sites, all with abundant pottery and faunal materials. Eleven radiocarbon dates from four sites span nearly the entire period of Fijian prehistory, from 2710–2330 cal BP to 430–10 cal BP. From inland sites on Aiwa Levu, the stratification, long chronology, and abundance of midden, and other artifacts argue for more permanent prehistoric occupation than the island's current use as a temporary fishing camp for people from nearby Lakeba (55.84 km2). Our archaeological data reinforce the notion that small islands were important in the prehistoric settlement and long-term occupation of Oceania, even in archipelagos where much larger islands exist nearby. In spite of their typically limited agricultural potential, small islands may be easy to defend and may offer better access to certain terrestrial and marine resources than large neighboring islands. Prehistoric sites on some small islands also may be less disturbed by modern activities than most larger islands, and therefore have enhanced potential to yield rich archaeological records.