Elemental analysis of pottery in the study of its provenance: A review

Elemental analysis of pottery is a valuable scientific approach to investigation of its provenance. Increasing use is being made of the approach, and this paper presents a critical review of the basic methodology and experimental procedures. Genenal problems and limitations of the technique are discussed, and the procedures involved in each of the four main stages of such studies are described. These stages are: (1) selecting specimens of pottery for analysis, (2) obtaining samples from the specimens, (3) analysing the samples, and (4) interpreting the results. For each stage, suggestions are made for generally useful procedures and experimental precautions, and for aspects on which further study seems desirable. Much of the discussion is also relevant to the analysis and typing of artifacts of other materials, e.g., metal and stone objects.     

Evaluating consistency in typology and classification

Typological systems are essential for communication between anthropologists as well as for interpretive purposes. For both communication and interpretation, it is important to know that different individuals using the same typology classify artifacts in similar ways, but the consistency with which typologies are used is rarely evaluated or explicitly tested. There are theoretical, practical, and cultural reasons for this failure. Disagreements among archaeologists using the same typology may originate in the typology itself (i.e., imprecise type definitions, confusing structure) or in the classification process, because of observer errors, differences in perception and interpretation, and biases. We review previous attempts to evaluate consistency in typology and classification, and use consensus analysis to examine one well-established typology. Both consensus and disparity are apparent among the typologists in our case study, and this allows us to explore the kinds of forces that shape agreement and diversity in the use of all typological systems. We argue that issues of typological consistency are theoretically and methodologically important. Typological consistency can be explicitly tested, and must be if we hope to use typologies confidently.     

Coils,slabs, and molds: examining community affiliation between Late Archaic shell ring communities using radiographic imagery of pottery

ABSTRACT

Radiographic imaging is used to determine the techniques used to form vessels from two contemporaneous Late Archaic shell rings in coastal Georgia. These data, in concert with decorative and technofunctional data, suggest that different potting communities occupied each ring. The presence of different communities at each ring corresponds with larger regional patterns in which localized socio-political bodies developed during the Late Archaic. The findings offered in this paper suggest that localized groups did not exist in isolation but rather lived near one another for centuries.     

A volcanic inclusions based approach for provenance studies of archaeological ceramics: application to pottery from southern Italy

This work focuses on petro-chemical characterisation of the volcanic inclusions often found within the fabric of many ceramic remains from various archaeological sites in eastern Sicily. Petrographic observations and EMP analyses revealed that volcanic glass is strongly influenced by chemical modifications during the firing process, whereas clinopyroxenes keep their original composition unaltered thus constituting an effective tool for provenance attributions. Multivariate statistical analysis of the latter can in fact unambiguously discriminate between different productive areas by comparisons with pyroxenes from volcanics belonging to distinct magmatic provinces. The method proposed here was tested on ceramic remains of different ages and typologies found in southern Italy.     

X荧光成分分析实验对测量陶瓷器热释光年代的影响研究

为了考察对一件已经经过X荧光分析实验的陶瓷样品进行热释光年代测定时,年代结果是否会受到X荧光分析实验的影响及其影响程度,本工作选取了古代与现代的陶器、瓷器及三彩样品共26件,在常规、经过胎体成分分析、经过釉层成分分析三种实验条件下测量比较热释光年代的变化.研究发现,对不同时代不同类型的样品,X荧光成分分析实验对热释光测年的影响程度不同;对部分样品的测年结果无影响,对部分样品的年代有增大的影响,但增大的程度不会使热释光测年结果产生真假颠倒的结论.     

Application of X-ray fluorescence imaging to ceramics from the American Southwest

We have used synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence imaging (XRFI) to examine sherds of painted ceramics from prehistoric cultures of the American Southwest. These sherds are very well suited to XRFI analysis. Paints can generally be detected and distinguished by the fluorescence intensities of their constituent elements. Spatial maps of element distributions yield the spatial distribution of pigments. Pigments can be distinguished that are (or have become) visually similar; layers that have been obscured by overpainting can be examined; and pigment residues can be distinguished from surface contaminants deposited after painting and firing. As a result, XRFI allows the painted motifs to be clarified and hidden features to be revealed. Furthermore, the very rapid scanning and high sensitivity elemental detection possible with synchrotron-based XRFI facilitate measurements on large collections of sherds, allowing an integrative rather than anecdotal analysis.     

粗糙集理论（RST）及其在古陶瓷分类上应用的初探

为了获得古陶瓷器的产地和制造年代的信息,需要应用科学分析方法对古陶瓷器的化学组成数据进行归纳、分类。本文介绍了粗糙集理论(RST)的一些基本概念,同时给出了用粗糙集方法建立古陶瓷分类模型的基本步骤和对古陶瓷器化学组成数据的处理方法,通过对瓷器产地、时代判别的应用举例,表明用该方法对古陶瓷分类研究的效果能达到预期目的,回代检验分析结果正确率为100％。     

Chemical characterization of some potsherd pavements from parts of Yorubaland in southwestern Nigeria

Several samples of potsherd pavement were recovered during excavation and archaeological reconnaissance of six sites, along the trade and migration route of the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria. A significant feature of these pavements is the similarity to Ife in design which consists of a herringbone design, with a ritual pot embedded in their middle. Microscopic analysis of samples shows the presence of high proportions of non-plastic grains, mainly quartz, micas, minor plagioclases, and traces of ferruginous grains, tourmaline and amphibole, interpreted as being produced by low temperature firing. Major, trace and rare earth elements' composition of 21 samples of sherds was determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-MS) technique. The chemistry of the potsherd samples is generally similar to regolith derived from granitic rocks, which are abundant in the area. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce the number of variables and model-based cluster analysis was used to find clusters in the PCA scores. Model-based clustering found one major cluster in the data set, which corresponds to the local weathered granitic/pegmatitic raw materials near the sites. Our work shows that the technology for the manufacture of these pavements might have originated from Ile-Ife, but the production was geologically controlled.     

Rice chaff in ceramics from the archaeological site of Sumhuram (Dhofar,Southern Oman)

The identification of the chaff used as temper in ancient ceramics represents a possible source of information about the area of origin of the pottery. This paper studies the occurrence of rice (Oryza sp.) chaff in potsherds from the archaeological site of Sumhuram (Dhofar, Sultanate of Oman). The information gathered at the site offers insight into commerce routes and networks to which the town belonged in the first centuries AD. The analysis of the plant material in the pottery and potsherds can also furnish interesting data on the ancient technologies of pottery production.     

Petrographic analysis and INAA geochemistry of prehistoric ceramics from Robinson Pueblo, New Mexico

The examination of thin sections is a successful method for discovering provenance groupings of archaeological ceramics if non-clay inclusions in pottery paste can be identified with petrographically distinctive geologic sources. When this is not the case, geochemical analysis must be employed to search for more subtle evidence of such groupings. This situation is likely to arise in studies, such as the present one, where the objective is to discern local or subregional patterns of pottery manufacture and exchange. Ninety potsherds from site LA46326 in New Mexico were subjected to both INAA and petrographic analysis. The results of this conjoint approach are assessed in relation to geochemical theory and are analysed graphically and statistically.     

Evidence for inter-island transport of heirlooms: luminescence dating and petrographic analysis of ceramic inhaling bowls from Carriacou,West Indies

Ceramic snuffing tubes and inhaling bowls used for ingesting hallucinogenic substances are known from several islands in the West Indies, but their chronological distribution is often vague. A partial inhaling bowl found at the site of Grand Bay on Carriacou in deposits dating between ca. A.D. 1000–1200, along with two other unprovenienced specimens from the local museum, were dated using luminescence (TL and OSL) to determine their antiquity. Surprisingly, the dates had a weighted average of 400 ± 189 B.C., making them several hundred years older than all ¹⁴C assays from the island; however, they do overlap in age with similar artifacts found on Puerto Rico and Vieques Island over 750 km away. Additional luminescence dating of two stylistically distinct Suazan ceramic sherds excavated from stratified deposits at Grand Bay fall within the expected ceramic and radiocarbon chronology. These data, coupled with petrographic analysis of the specimens, suggests that they were not made using local materials. Instead, they appear to have been transported to the island, possibly hundreds of years later, as heirlooms. This may be the first evidence for inter-island transport of drug paraphernalia in the Caribbean.     

潮汕与中国传统侨乡：一个关于移民经验的类型学分析

广东的潮汕地区、江门五邑地区和兴梅(即梅州)地区,以及福建的福州地区、浙江的青田都是中国的传统侨乡。本文试以潮汕侨乡为重点,选择江门五邑、梅州、福州、青田等侨乡为参照,分析在全球化时代的背景下,中国传统侨乡的新移民浪潮所展现的各自的不同特点和道路。并在此基础上,对侨乡的移民经验进行类型学分析,对当代中国侨乡人口国际迁移的特征、类型和发展趋势进行探讨。     

Pottery production and distribution in prehistoric Bronze Age Cyprus. An application of pXRF analysis

Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) analysis of over 400 samples of Early and Middle Bronze Age Cypriot pottery from four widely separated sites identifies both local and non-local products at each. A series of analyses of sub-sets of the data highlights differences in the clays used at each site and for some distinctive types and wares. When assessed in the context of general typological, technological and stylistic factors these variations provide the basis for considering patterns of local production and inter-regional relationships across the island. Although the great majority of pots were locally made, particular wares and shapes were brought in from elsewhere. For some sites finer, more highly decorated vessels are mostly imports, but at others both simpler and more complex vessels were made of the same local clays. While small juglets or flasks may have been containers for transporting small quantities of rare substances, larger vessels are likely to have held less precious material. Open vessels, especially small bowls – some of which are plain, utilitarian items – represent another aspect of social behaviour and inter-regional relationships.     

Ceramic production in ancient Nasca: provenance analysis of pottery from the Early Nasca and Tiza cultures through INAA

We report the results of an instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) undertaken on a regional sample of pottery from the Southern Nasca Region. The samples included specimens primarily from the Early Nasca (ca. A.D. 1–450) and Tiza (ca. A.D. 1000–1476) cultures from a total of 16 different prehispanic sites. The results of the analysis demonstrate centralized production of Early Nasca polychromes and decentralized production of pottery from the Tiza culture. The results of this analysis confirm previous conclusions about the organization of these two indigenous cultures of the south coast of Peru and support the hypothesis of an excess production of polychromes at the ceremonial center Cahuachi for Early Nasca, and multiple centers of production for the Tiza culture.     

荥阳官庄遗址制陶作坊出土陶泥陶坯的科学分析

河南省荥阳官庄遗址发现了用于制陶的粘土原料以及未烧制的陶坯,这为研究西周中期以后中原制陶技术提供了不可多得的研究资料。为此,本研究利用能量色散X射线荧光光谱仪、X射线衍射分析仪分析了部分原料和陶坯,并使用马弗炉对其中的陶泥进行了烧制实验。结果发现,官庄遗址的制陶原料含铁量较高,烧制过程中析出磁铁矿等铁类矿物,且烧成陶色偏深;此外,制陶原料和同期陶片之间物相的趋同性和化学成分的聚类性,显示陶器本地生产的特性。研究结果为研究西周晚期至春秋早期时期制陶技术提供了基础材料。     

河南荥阳官庄遗址陶范物源及制作工艺分析

Guanzhuang site is located in the west of Guanzhuang Village, Gaocun Township, Xingyang City, Henan Province. From the site, more than 3 000 pottery moulds have been unearthed, with various types, including the moulds for containers, tools, chariots, weapons, money and core, etc. According to the types and decorations of pottery moulds and the characteristics of co - existing pottery, the pottery moulds of Guanzhuang site can be divided into two periods—Phase I dating from the late Western Zhou Dynasty to the early Spring and Autumn Period, and phase TJ considered between the early and middle Spring and Autumn Period. The change of bronze ware styles from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Spring and Autumn Period was important in the development of ancient Chinese bronze wares. Due to the lack of archaeological data, research on pottery moulds during the two - week period was still insufficient; discussion of the important issue of standardizing the sources of raw materials was also relatively weak. Environmental archaeology has relatively mature methods and practices in depositional dynamics, depositional processes and provenance tracing, which could provide new ideas for further in - depth discussions on this issue. In order to understand the material sources and craftsmanship of pottery moulds unearthed from Guanzhuang site in Xingyang, Henan Province, samples of Guanzhuang pottery moulds and natural sedimentary strata were studied using particle size analysis, XRF and petrographic analysis to give the following results. 1) The raw materials for mould - making were taken from the late Pleistocene Malan loess layer under the cultural layer of the site. The Malan loess underwent simple manual elutriation before being used to make pottery moulds. 2) A small amount of plant ash and calcium nodule powder was added during the production process of pottery moulds as an admixture to increase the high - temperature resistance. 3) The inner side of pottery mould for container was mainly made of Malan loess, while the outer one was made of a mixture of Malan loess and river sand with a blending ratio of about 7:5. Pottery moulds for various ware types had different processing techniques (e.g., moulds for containers were more refined). Besides, compared with early pottery moulds, later ones are relatively rougher, but the difference is not obvious. 4) The petrographic characteristics of double - layer container moulds indicate that there are different production processes for the inner and outer sides of mould. The inner side was made of Malan loess with finer particles—below 100 μm—as the raw material after elutriation, and there were traces of directional trimming. The outer one was made of a mixture of two parts of minerals (coarse and fine), and there was no obvious processing trace. Analysis of sample particle size is a new attempt to discuss the material sources of pottery moulds. The related discussion of mud - clarifying ponds is also helpful to understand the function of such relics and the formation process of accumulation in them. This study has important reference significance for exploring the material and craft characteristics of pottery moulds before and after the early Spring and Autumn Period in the Central Plains. © 2023, Sciences of Conservation and Archaeology. All Rights Reserved.     

Applying the technique of image classification to climate science: the case of Andalusia (Spain)

This paper proposes an empirical climate classification method based on the application of multivariate statistics. In this method, the technique of supervised and unsupervised image classification is used to classify the data and define climatic units. envi software is used to perform the image classification, specifically, the Iterative Self‐Organizing Data Analysis Technique algorithm. Supervised classification is also applied based on reference variables, fundamental parameters and a classifier. The obtained results display greater objectivity, reliability, operability, accessibility and reproducibility than previous climate classifications devised for the region of Andalusia (Spain), taking into account that these previous classifications were not based on quantitative criteria.     

Characterization of Iron age pottery from eastern Turkey by laser- induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

Selected pottery sherds coming from the Ayanis, Dilkaya and Karagündüz excavations in eastern Turkey and dated from the Early to Middle Iron Age were examined as regards their composition by using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The objective of the study was first to investigate the potential of the LIBS technique in the compositional analysis of pottery and further to explore correlations in spectral data, by using chemometrics methods that would possibly enable discrimination among different sherds. This work is part of a broader study aiming to examine clay variability both before and during the Urartian State period and to explore possible relationships and differences among pottery objects from fortresses and settlements or settlements and cemeteries on the basis of the clay composition of sherds. Preliminary results demonstrate that by using the LIBS technique it is possible to analyse pottery sherds in qualitative and semi-quantitative ways, providing information on the clay and slip composition. Furthermore, encouraging results have been obtained by carrying out principal component analysis (PCA) on the LIBS spectra, which suggest that in certain cases, it is possible to directly correlate spectral information with the origin of pottery sherds.     

斗鸡台瓦鬲形制分析方法的再研究

苏秉琦先生对斗鸡台瓦鬲形制的分析,学术界公认为是中国考古学早期类型学研究的经典之作。然而这些方法在处理大批量样本时,有些并不十分实用。在本文中,作者认为考古类型学研究应该进行量化改进。基于这种认识,作者运用了相关分析和两步聚类法等统计学方法探讨了斗鸡台瓦鬲的形制,并修正了过去的一些方法和结论。     

Urban morphological change in the case of Selcuk,Turkey: A mixed-methods approach

The purpose of this article is comparatively to determine changes in the urban morphology of the city of Selcuk in Izmir province, Turkey, using quantitative and qualitative methods, specifically cartographic redrawing and commented walk. Using two different methods makes it possible to include the human factor, which has not been studied extensively in the urban morphology literature. In the first section, the two methods are discussed in detail. Regarding cartographic redrawing, the 1897 map and aerial photographs of the area were used. For the qualitative part of the study, commented walks were carried out with 15 people. The city’s morphological development can be divided into five historical periods from 1897 onwards, with the findings showing that the findings obtained by combining two different methods complement each other. Moreover, small-scale changes in form and function, which could not be revealed in detail by quantitative methods, were identified through the commented walks. These small changes have affected Selcuk’s citizens at least as much as the large-scale changes.