Archaeometric examination of Early and Middle Bronze Age ceramics from Százhalombatta-Földvár, Hungary (original) (raw)

This paper examines the technological aspects of Early and Middle Bronze Age ceramics from a tell settlement at Százhalombatta (Hungary) by using polarising and cathodoluminescence microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) analyses. Towards the end of the Middle Bronze Age, during the Koszider period, ceramic production became more elaborate; and highly distinctive vessels appeared in terms of their decoration, surface treatment and firing conditions. For this analysis eight sherds belonging to fine and coarse wares were selected. In order to assess how potters may have altered their raw materials potential clay samples around the tell settlement were also examined by the same techniques. Results suggest that potters used locally available clays and even the most distinct vessels in terms of decoration (Rákospalota type wares) seem to be locally made. In spite of the similarities in clay compositions, however, there is a clear distinction between how potters manipulated their clay and temper even within a similar vessel type. This practice resulted in the existence of intrasite technological traditions