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
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Ceramic technology and social process in Late Neolithic Hungary
Interpreting silent artefacts: …, 2009
By means of ceramic petrography this paper examines technological aspects of Late Neolithic Lengyel Culture ceramics from three settlements in southern Hungary and considers their implications in terms of social complexity. The petrography of several vessel types is compared in order to assess possible similarities and differences in manufacturing technology at the Neolithic settlements. The results show that there are extensive ceramic technological similarities between the sites, particularly within some cups, mugs, bowls and jars. It seems that not only was it important that these vessels should look similar, but that they were made in a similar manner. These findings indicate that potters at the three different sites had similar understanding of the properties of raw materials and also had a high degree of common knowledge and a similar approach to the fabrication of these vessels. The technological similarity between some of the cups, mugs, jars and bowls suggests that they were specialised products and their production may have been standardised. Other pottery styles such as pedestalled bowls and storage or cooking vessels, exhibit differences in technological practice between similar vessel types, suggesting the existence of intrasite technological traditions.
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