Ceramic Analysis

Prehistoric Pottery
First ceramic artifact found at Dolni
Vestonice, Moravia, 25000 BC.
First example of pottery found in
China, 12 000 BC.
Pottery widely used from 8000 BC on.

Chane opratoire
Raw materials
Preparation of the Paste
Shaping
Decoration
Firing
Use

Discarding

Raw materials

Clay is a fine-grained sediment widely present

in the ground.
Clay becomes plastic when mixed with water
and hardens when heated.

Preparation of the Paste

Pottery is made of paste, a mix of clay and
other materials.
Temper (non-plastic substance) is
intentionally added to reduce breakage
caused by breakage and firing.

Shaping: Handmade Techniques

Coils are ropes of clay which
are put together to create the
walls of the vessel.
The Paddle-and-anvil method
refers to the use of tools to
shape the vessel.
Clay may be pressed into a
mold.

Shaping: the Wheel

The wheel appeared around 3000 BC in
Southwest Asia.
It allows faster and more efficient
production

Decoration
The surface may be
burnished or brushed.
It may be incised or
impressed.
Applique technique:
separate ceramic
elements are attached to
the body.

Decoration
Slip: liquid clay.
Glaze: metallic
chemicals.
Paint.

Firing
Open fire (minimum 800
C ).
Open kiln: 900C,
oxidizing atmosphere.
Closed kiln: 1000C,
reducing atmosphere.

Use

Different techniques and shapes for

different uses.
Short lifetime.

Characterization of Pottery
Sherds may reveal the
size and shape, and thus
the function, of a vessel.
Stylistic attributes
depends on choices made
by the craftsman.

Provenience Studies

Style and shape may be used to determine the

origin of a vessel.
Compositional analysis may be conducted at 3
levels: visual, petrographic and chemical.

 Visual study allows to identify the type of

temper in the paste.

Petrographic Study
A thin section(< 3
mm) is sawed off a
sherd.
It is examined with
normal and polarized
light.
It reveals the identity,
size, and quantity of
the physical and
mineral components
of the paste.

Instrumental Analysis

NAA, ICP spectrometer and XRF may be used

to identify trace elements that are
characteristic of a specific clay source.

Ancient Trade
Provenience studies indicate the place and
time of production.
In association with the nature and quantity of
the remains, we can infer the range, frequency
and nature of ancient trade routes.

Greek Ceramic in Spain, 800-600 BC

 Different spheres of exchange.

Settlement pattern.