Production Technologies and Provenance of Ceramic Materials from the Earliest Foundry of Pre-Roman Padua, NE Italy (original) (raw)
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Archaeometric investigation allowed the characterization of two important classes of ceramics: 'vetrina sparsa' and 'invetriata grezza'. Their archaeological peculiarity makes them particularly suited for tracing the evolution of glaze manufacturing in southern Tuscany throughout the medieval period (10th-14th centuries). These ceramics were found in different sites of historical importance, and also from a mining perspective. Local copper, lead, zinc and iron mineralizations supported the growth of several settlements in the vicinity of the mines. The many castles and different archaeological finds (ceramics, glazed ceramic, slag etc.) attest to the intense mineral exploitation of the area from at least the first millennium BC up to the modern period. In light of these geological and archaeological characteristics, archaeometric investigation was intended to provide insight into ancient technical knowledge of ceramic glazing and to determine the source area for raw materials in the medieval period (10th-14th centuries). Ceramic bodies were analysed through OM, XRDp, SEM-EDS and XRF, while coatings were investigated through SEM-EDS. Mineralogical, petrographic and chemical analyses revealed slightly different preparation and firing processes for the two classes of ceramics. These data suggest the continuity through the centuries of the 'vetrina sparsa ' and 'invetriata grezza' production technology. The mineralogical phases, such as monazite, xenotime, zircon, barite, Ti oxide, ilmenite, titanite, tourmaline and ilvaite, and the lithic (intrusive and volcanic) fragments detected within the ceramic bodies suggest a source area in the vicinity of the Campiglia mining district. Lastly, the presence of Cu-Zn-Pb (Ag) and Fe sulphide mineralizations (materials used to produce glaze) in the area supports the hypothesis of local manufacture.
2004
This study describes the results of petrographical, mineralogical and chemical analyses carried out on coarse tempered cooking pottery, sampled in the archaeological sites of Herdonia, Posta Crusta (Ordona, FG) and San Giusto (Lucera, FG). From the latter site, two fragments of a pottery kiln, coeval with sherds (IV and V centuries AD), were also investigated. Two groups of clayey sediments of different nature (alluvial and marine) sampled in the neighbouring of the archaeological sites were also analysed. By means of the petrographical analyses, all cooking pottery and the two kiln fragments were grouped in the same coarse tempered group, characterised by the scarce presence of trachytic and glassy fragments, anhedral and zoned augitic pyroxenes and feldspars. PXRD analyses show an abundant presence of quartz and feldspars, followed by pyroxenes and variable quantities of calcite and hematite. Among clay minerals, illite plus muscovite are more abundant than smectite. XRF analyses data display SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 and K 2 O as main oxides, with variable quantities of CaO. In the case of the clayey samples, petrographical investigations on thin-section of psammitic fractions outlined the differences between Argille subappennine (Marine group-Pleistocene) and the alluvial deposits of Celone River (Alluvial group-Holocene). The occurrence of volcanic products, chert, garnet, quartzarenites and limestones in the archaeological materials and in the alluvial samples, let us suppose that cooking pottery was made with alluvial clayey silt. The apparent chemical discordance between pottery and alluvial samples bulk compositions can be due to textural and compositional variability of the alluvial deposits. All ceramics were fired in oxidising conditions, although in many cases a "dark core" was still present. Textural features, observed through petrographical microscope, and PXRD analyses suggested a firing temperature between 600 and 800°C.
Archaeometric study of roman pottery from Caudium area (Southern Italy)
Periodico di Mineralogia, 2010
Aim of this work is the mineropetrographical characterization of late antique painted common wares from the ancient roman settlement of Caudium (today Montesarchio, Campania region, italy). twenty-two samples (4 th to 6 th century AD) collected during the archaeological survey of the area, were studied to investigate their manufacturing technology and to attest a possible local production. Ceramics shards are represented by 16 painted common ware samples; furthermore, 2 bricks, 2 kiln rejects and 2 fragments of cooking ware were investigated for comparison. Polarized light microscopy (PlM) observations and X-ray fluorescence chemical analyses (Xrf) allowed to characterize the Caudium pottery production. two main groups of fragments were distinguished: the first one composed by painted common wares, bricks and kiln rejects, the other one by cooking ware only. two textural typologies were recorded within the first group (composed by calcareous clay pastes: average Cao ~ 11.0%), one characterized by fine pastes containing tiny clasts of quartz, feldspars and few volcanic inclusions, the other by coarser pastes with predominant volcanic temper. Cooking wares (composed by non-calcareous clay: average Cao 1 .6%) show a large amount of temper of both volcanic and detrital origin, the latter mainly constituted by quartzarenite clasts. Multivariate statistical analysis (Hierarchical Clustering and Principal Component Analysis) confirms the already identified groups. Mineralogical analyses and scanning electron microscope observations of the sintering degree of clayey paste enabled to evaluate the firing temperatures of the most representative samples (from 800 to 1200°C). the whole data set, along with geological features of the investigated area (wide availability of raw materials) and archaeological evidences (kiln refuses, large number of fragments of the same ceramic class), allowed to hypothesize a local production of the painted common wares and thus to define the respective reference group. riAssunto-lo scopo di questo lavoro è la caratterizzazione minero-petrografica di frammenti di ceramica comune dipinta d'età tardo antica provenienti dall'antico insediamento romano di Caudium (attuale Montesarchio, Campania, italia). Ventidue campioni (datati dal iV al Vi secolo d.C.), ritrovati durante la ricognizione archeologica della zona, sono stati analizzati per ricostruire le tecnologie produttive e definire una possibile produzione locale. i reperti ceramici sono rappresentati da 16 frammenti di ceramica comune dipinta; inoltre sono stati investigati per confronto 2 laterizi, 2 scarti di fornace
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2016
The westernmost of the Greek-Sicilian towns, Selinunte, founded in western Sicily during the second half of the seventh century BCE, gives amazing evidences of a historic activity of ceramic production (seventh to third century BCE). The present study aims to identify the raw materials available in the vicinity of the archaeological site of Selinunte, which were possibly used by the ancient potters, and to characterise them by means of petrographic and chemical techniques. A sampling campaign of clays and sands for tempering was undertaken in the archaeological site and the adjacent area. Moreover, locally produced archaeological bricks and tiles were considered helpful for comparison regarding the definition of local ceramic macro-and micro-fabrics and were analysed as well. The comparison between textural, mineralogical and chemical data allowed us to highlight a good similarity between the clayey materials available in the area and the local ancient bricks and tiles. Their compositional resemblance suggests the hypothesis of a systematic use of the studied clays for ceramic productions from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period. The preliminary archaeometric results obtained so far could enhance the distinction between local manufactures and imports and may well lead to the identification of ceramic artefacts produced by the Archaic-Hellenistic workshops of Selinunte at various consumption sites.
The territory pertinent to Sinnai district covers a vast area of the south-eastern Campidano of Cagliari region (Sardinia -Italy). The archaeological survey and recent excavations, carried out in this wide region, have revealed a context that from the Roman Age to Early Middle Ages, even under the influence of the urban reality of the Cagliari settlement, kept peculiar features which are particularly shown in the coarse ware production. This work investigates the possible persistence of technical features in the local Roman and Late Roman pottery productions compared with protohistoric pottery found in the same territorial context and particularly highlights the possible persistence in raw material use, identifying the possible exploited provenance quarries.
Background: This work is part of a wide scientific project finalized to characterize the Sicilian pottery productions from Greek to Roman Age. In this prospective, local reference groups have been analysed in order to create a database of the circulation and production centres in Sicily during this period. In this framework, a set of 28 waste pottery fragments (III-II century B.C.) from a pit found during excavations at the fortification of Adrano (Sicily) have been studied. Characterization of the samples has been obtained by macroscopic, petrographic (OM), mineralogical (XRD) and chemical (XRF) analyses. Results: Macroscopic analysis of the studied potteries has allowed to distinguish four groups on the basis of grain size, porosity and clay paste color. Petrographic and mineralogical analysis, carried out on a selection of representative samples have allowed us to obtain useful information on the production technology of the studied samples. Moreover, information about raw materials and provenance of clay sediments has been obtained by comparing chemical data of the analysed samples with locally outcropping clay sediments reference data. Finally, chemical results on Adrano potteries have been compared with kiln wastes from Siracusa and Gela. Conclusions: The aim of the present work is to obtain fabric characterizations and technological information on a local reference group of ceramic specimens manufactured in Adrano (Sicily). Petrographic and mineralogical results allow us to esteem high firing temperature suggesting a good technological level of local production; in addition, chemical data suggest a local provenance of raw materials used in the production of the studied samples. The comparison with local production from Siracusa and Gela highlights several differences in the use of raw material and in the technological levels achieved in the different sites, over time. Therefore, this work provides a valuable contribution in defining the local scenario of ceramic production in South-Eastern Sicily during the Hellenistic Age and in producing local reference groups in the petro-archaeometric studies of archaeological potteries.
Clays from the Bay of Naples (Italy): New insight on ancient and traditional ceramics
Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 2014
The features of two clayey raw materials from the Bay of Naples and their fired products were investigated via minero-petrographic and physical techniques. Clay preparation and firing dynamics were performed following a process similar to that performed by ancient and traditional potters. A high-CaO marine clay from Ischia was mixed with different amounts of volcanic temper in order to replicate most common ware. These mixtures show a fair mechanical resistance starting from relatively low firing temperatures (>850 • C). The addition of temper resulted in different technological characteristics. A low-CaO weathered pyroclastics from the Sorrento Peninsula was prepared to simulate heat resistant and refractory ceramics. Fired products are characterised by a less resistant ceramic body up to 1000 • C compared to Ischia ceramics. Despite worse strength these ceramics show a porous structure, yielding better refractory performances.
Materials Characterization, 2010
This study represents analyses of Brittle Ware sherds dated back to the Late Roman period found in the Harabebezikan Mound (Şanlıurfa/Turkey). Wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) was performed for chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) was performed for mineralogical and phase analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in combination with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) was performed for microstructural characteristics and microchemical analysis of 37 sherds. Chemical analysis results concluded two major groups of potteries. Raw materials used for the production, firing temperatures and conditions for the pottery sherds were discussed in the study. The results were compared to the previous studies from other Brittle Ware production centers.
Geoarchaeology, 2024
This study broadens our knowledge of the relationship between the clayey georesources available in northern Apulia and the artisanal production of ceramics. The focus is placed on a collection of 6th and 7th century A.D. pottery found in the domus excavated within the archaeological complex of Canosa San Pietro (ancient Canusium) in Italy. The integration of the results obtained from this study with those already available made it possible to outline conscious technological choices in terms of raw materials' exploitation, based on which the alluvial deposits were selected for the production of coarse cooking ware and the marine Subapennine clays for the production of fine common ware. This selective choice undoubtedly had a practical implication since it supplied raw materials that required little processing, being already suitable for the type of ceramic to be produced. Moreover, the compositional comparison of investigated pottery with products distributed along the Carapelle valley, rather than those from Canusium previously studied, provides new perspectives for reconstructing the microcirculation of ceramics in northern Apulia. Lastly, the imports of Classe-type pottery, probably from the northern Adriatic area, are worth mentioning since they represent the most consistent distribution of this type of ceramic in southern Italy and may reflect the assiduous pilgrimage of the monastery after the death of Bishop Savinus.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2018
The unusual discovery of a potter's workshop suddenly destroyed by a firing-cum-collapse event at Montebello Vicentino (northeastern Italy), dated to the Late Iron Age (ca. late fifth-fourth centuries BC), offers the unique possibility of studying two parallel operational sequences or chaines opératoires of ceramic manufacturing in this period, by direct analysis of the various base materials and products lost during destruction. Raw materials (prepared clay batch, sand, and other temper inclusions), unfired vessels knocked to the ground by the collapse, and samples of fired pottery were comprehensively characterized by petrographic and mineralogical analysis. Comparisons with similar ceramic products found at nearby settlements of Montebello can also better define the differences between production which was actually taking place at the workshop at the moment of destruction and previous work, as documented by sherds found at the same site.