Naslov
The characterization of raw materials used for pottery production in ancient societies: application of analytical methods (OM, XRPD, FT- IR, ICP-MS)
(The characterization of raw materials used for pottery production in ancient societies: application of analytical methods (OM, XRD, FT-IR, ICP-MS))

Autori
Neral, Natali ; Kudelić, Andreja ; Maričić, Ana

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, prošireni sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
XXII International Conference of Young Geologists: Abstract Book / Ďuriška, Igor ; Gregáňová, Margaréta ; Puzio, Bartosz ; Rybka, Karolina ; Subová, Viktória ; Ziemniak, Grzegorz - , 2023, 7-7

ISBN
978-80-223-5604-6

Skup
International Conference of young Geologists

Mjesto i datum
Smolenice, Slovačka, 20.04.2023. - 22.04.2023

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Analytical methods ; Pottery technology ; Raw materials

Sažetak
Ceramics is one of the most numerous artefacts found at archaeological sites in all periods of the past. Although it can be over several thousand years old, it still represents evidence regarding the production process. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the raw materials used for pottery production (clays and tempers) and to establish how ancient communities exploited resources and oriented themselves within the environment. This paper presents the study of 57 ceramic thin sections from two multi-period archaeological sites situated in Croatia's different geological and geographic areas (Baranja and Istria). Baranja region is a part of the south-western Pannonian Basin (Horváth et al., 2006 ; Pavelić & Kovačić, 2018), while Istria is a part of the Adriatic carbonate platform (Vlahović et al. 2005). The study involves a total of 23 clayey sediments collected in the vicinity of each archaeological site in order to compare the chemical and mineral composition and physical characteristics with ceramic samples. Analytical methods applied in the research are optical microscopy (OM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The correlation between ancient ceramics and clayey samples indicates several potential sources of raw materials used by ancient potters. These clayey materials used for pottery production are mainly composed of kaolinite and chlorite with a smaller amount of swelling clay minerals. Ancient communities exploited raw materials mostly within three to ten kilometres of the settlement in both investigated regions. The study shows that the potters used different temper materials, such as chaff, grog (cheramoclasts), lithoclasts, graphite, and calcite, deliberately added to a clay paste to improve its physical properties. The choice of temper material was related to a different social group, i.e. different periods of the past. Similarly, as in the case of clayey raw material, locally available tempers can be established for most of the samples. The continuous presence of calcite in Istria as well as various lithoclasts (metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rocks), grog, and chaff in Baranja, indicate the use of locally available materials. Conversely, graphite-tempered ceramics during the Late iron age in Baranja suggest gathering resources from a long distance, presumably up to 60 kilometres from the settlement. The results show that the choice of raw materials (clays and tempers) significantly varies among the investigated regions. The smaller amount of raw materials and the continuous use of the same temper material in Istria indicate the limited choice of resources that correspond to the geological structure predominantly composed of uniformed carbonate rocks (Croatian Geological Survey, 2009). Different types of clays and tempers determined in Baranja are due to the geologically more diverse environment (Croatian Geological Survey, 2009) composed of various types of rocks and clayey deposits.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Geologija, Arheologija

POVEZANOST RADA