COMPLEMENTARY COMPOSITIONAL ANALYSIS OF FORMATIVE PERIOD CERAMICS FROM THE TEOTIHUACAN VALLEY

During the Classic Period, Teotihuacan was an economic centre of central Mexico, but little is known about the development of this system. This paper presents a pilot study in multi‐method analysis of Formative Period (1500/1400 bc –ad 150) ceramics from the Teotihuacan Valley. Pottery was characterized by instrumental neutron activation analysis, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, thermal ionization mass spectrometry and petrography. It appears that most pottery was made from local raw materials that differ from later Postclassic materials. Some inter‐village interaction is suggested by stylistic choices, and one settlement had a group of ceramics made from unequivocally distinct raw materials. The study demonstrates how complementary methods can be used to draw greater anthropological meaning from compositional differences.     

MATCHING PAST AND PRESENT CERAMIC PRODUCTION IN THE BANDA AREA (GHANA): IMPROVING THE ANALYTICAL PERFORMANCE OF NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS IN ARCHAEOLOGY USING MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES*

The transfer of advances in chemometrics into archaeometric research opens up a wide range of new application possibilities in this rapidly developing field. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) of ceramic samples from the Banda Traditional Area (west‐central Ghana) combined with chemometrics allowed us to establish a link between current and ancient systems of ceramics production in the historic settlements of Kuulo Kataa and Makala Kataa. Principal component analysis (PCA) and the soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) method were applied to the Das Dores Cruz data set in order to unequivocally determine the geographical origin of the diverse archaeological samples. After global autoscaling pretreatment, PCA analysis showed a clear difference between samples from different locations. The classification models obtained by SIMCA showed a classification ability of 100% and a prediction ability of 97.7%, with a mean sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 100% for the three categories. The application of SIMCA showed that some NAA variables (elements) were more important than others in terms of geographical classification. With the class models that we obtained, we were able to determine the origin of the ancient remains. SIMCA has proved to be a powerful technique for the class modelling of archaeological data.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF TAKATORI STONEWARE FROM CHIKUZEN PROVINCE,JAPAN*

This study reports the findings of an examination of stonewares from the Takatori kilns of seventeenth- to nineteenth-century Chikuzen Province, Kyushu, Japan. Scanning electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy were used to determine the mineralogy and chemical compositions of the ceramic bodies. The results of this broad characterization are used to comment on the relationships between these wares and the raw materials used. Despite close similarities in some cases, it is possible to distinguish the wares of many of these kilns from each other and from outwardly similar wares from contemporary kilns in adjacent provinces.     

MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF QUARTZ-TEMPERED CERAMICS: PART II,HERTZIAN STRENGTH,WEAR RESISTANCE AND APPLICATIONS TO ANCIENT CERAMICS*

Mechanical performance of ceramics can be measured by various techniques. Conventional testing usually requires multiple samples of large size and specific geometries and for this reason cannot be usually applied directly to ancient pottery. However, Hertzian strength and wear resistance can be measured on the same specimen, of small size, and it is shown that these tests can describe, to a good approximation, the basic ceramic mechanical propertics (strength and toughness). Therefore, these tests are proposed for use on archaeological specimens. An application on Punic amphorae found in Corinth is presented.     

ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL RESEARCH ON SEDIMENTS AND CERAMICS AT POLIDEPORTIVO (SPAIN): AN INTEGRATED APPROACH*

This paper proposes a preliminary approach to the integration of archaeological evidence and various chemical analyses (phosphorus and lipid) on sediments and ceramics. Phosphorus and organic matter analyses are, thus, used for the study of sediments, and lipid analyses for pottery from structure 19 of the Late Neolithic—Early Copper site known as ‘Polideportivo’, Martos, southern Spain. The results of both types of analysis point to a predominantly domestic function for this structure.     

THE BEGINNINGS OF TIN-OPACIFICATION OF POTTERY GLAZES

A multidisciplinary programme of research on the glazed ceramics of the Islamic world has been focused on questions of their dating, provenance and technology. One particular question has been the development of tin-opacified glazes, and the nature of glaze opacification generally in the Islamic world. The findings of the various studies combine to indicate that tin was first used experimentally in Basra, Iraq, in the first half of the eighth century AD, apparently within the context of pre-Islamic opaque-glaze technology. Over the course of the next century, an opaque-glaze technology entirely reliant on tin oxide inclusions was developed in Iraq and Egypt and, subsequently, this technology spread to the rest of the Islamic world and also to Europe.     

NON-DESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS OF JINGDEZHEN BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAINS

The energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence method is used for the non-destructive qualitative analysis of Jingdezhen blue and white porcelains, which include the imperial wares of the Yongle, Xuande, Chenghua, Jiajing and Wanli periods of the Ming dynasty, the imperial wares of the Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang and Guangxu periods of the Qing dynasty, and those of the Republic and the contemporary period. The distribution pattern of the X-ray fluorescence intensities of the six characteristic elements for porcelain manufactured at different times has been investigated.     

FINE WARE FROM LOCRI EPIZEPHIRI: A PROVENANCE STUDY BY INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY

Fifty-six sherds of fine ware from Locri Epizephiri were analysed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICPOES) and flame emission spectroscopy (FES). The sherds had been excavated on the archaeological areas of Marasà Sud, Centocamere and San Cono, and represent local and imported products from the seventh to the second century BC. The samples were dissolved by fusion with lithium metaborate and analysed for nine elements (Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Ti, Mn, Sr, Ba and Cr) by ICPOES, while Na and K were determined by FES. The analytical data were subjected to hierarchical agglomerative clustering and principal components analysis to classify the sherds into compositional groups. The results obtained indicated that Corinthian, Attic and Ionian products or imitations may be classified in a few separate groups, while most local products are found in a unique, large group.     

ARCHAEOMETRY AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY: CHARACTERIZATION OF SAMOAN BASALTS

The Elemental Analysis Laboratory provides research support for campus users and service analyses for the University, other state and governmental agencies and private industry. The laboratory's primary concern is the application of unique methodology to a wide range of analytical problems that arise in the course of efforts by University researchers. For the past decade or so, compositional analysis by neutron activation analysis of archaeological artefacts for the purpose of studying provenance, trade or cultural patterns of prehistoric populations has become an area of focus. The present communication will discuss the laboratory in general and the scope and significance of the archaeology work done within the organization. A brief example of a current project involving the study of geologic samples from prehistoric stone tool quarries from American Samoa is presented as an illustration.     

TESTING ASSUMPTIONS OF NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS: COMMUNITIES,WORKSHOPS AND PASTE PREPARATION IN YUCATAN,MEXICO*

Contemporary pottery and raw materials (N= 170) from three workshops in Ticul, Yucatán, were analysed by neutron activation to test the hypothesis that individual workshops that used their own clay sources could be identified by their pottery. Although the data failed to confirm the hypothesis, the results reinforced previous conclusions about the relationship of local communities of potters to the chemical patterning of pottery made in these communities.