Cooking traces on Copper Age pottery from central Italy: An integrated approach comprising use wear analysis, spectroscopic analysis and experimental archaeology

This contribution discusses the results of an integrated approach of use wear analysis, spectroscopic analysis and experimental archaeology, applied for the investigation of the actual use of selected ceramic vessels, taken from domestic Copper Age contexts in the modern Rome area. This study is based upon the consideration of a vessel as a tool, used during everyday life and thus reflecting human activities and social behaviours. To this end, the paper here presented proposes an interpretation of the actual use activities which led to the modification of prehistoric vessels. The methodology of this study integrates the traditional approach to ceramic use wear studies, based on experimental and ethnoarchaeological studies, with principles of tribology, along with the application of a dedicated experimental framework which enabled the development of a detailed collection of comparative use wear. Moreover, the application of spectroscopic analysis provided preliminary data related to the charred encrustations found inside the archaeological specimens. These data, when combined with use wear, palaeobotanical remains and archaeological preserved structures, aided interpretation of the archaeological ceramic vessels as cooking pots

An integrated approach based on archaeometry, use-wear analysis and experimental archaeology to investigate the function of a specific type of basin diffused in the Predynastic sites of lower Egypt (4th mill. BC)

This paper focuses on the functional analysis of a specific oval shaped basin diffused in Lower Egyptian Predynastic sites during the first half of the 4th millennium BC. These oval shallow ceramic basins are characterised by a flat and wide inner surface that is covered by a layer of small rock fragments pressed into the clay matrix. Several archeologists have interpreted them as grinding tools, but the limited number of samples unearthed thus far and their poor state of preservation made this interpretation uncertain. Here we present the results of a preliminary integrated study based on the combination of experimental archaeology and petrographic, use-wear and residue analyses carried out on two samples from the Predynastic site of Maadi. The use-wear analysis of the archaeological fragments highlighted traces of an intentional grinding and light pounding of oily substances, which is also partially supported by the organic residue investigation. These results were tested through experimental tests that confirmed these basins are most likely mortars. Establishing the actual functional activities performed in such a unique type of vessel is important not only for understanding the social behaviors of the Lower Egyptian Predynastic communities and the dynamics related to the diffusion of such basins, but it also provides a new methodological framework for Egyptian Predynastic studies

A whiter shade of vase. Discovering the white colors of an ancient Apulian krater through XRPD and Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy and X-Ray Powder Diffraction were applied in order to characterize the materials used for the manufacturing of an ancient, decorated vase of Apulian manufacturing in 4th century B.C. In this case study, three small fragments from one vase were sampled from pictorial areas in black and white. X-Ray Diffraction on a powdered sample was applied to characterize the composition of ceramic: the analysis allowed the identification of quartz, plagioclase and diopside and consequent hypotheses about the production process. The pictorial decorations in black and white were analysed through Raman spectroscopy. While the pigment constituting the dark areas was identified as maghemite γ-Fe2O3, an iron oxide with spinel structure, which suggests a maghemization oxidative process, in the white decoration it was possible to individuate the presence of both anatase -an allotropic phase of titanium oxide- and α-alumina. The application of alumina as pigment results peculiar and it represents a new knowledge advancement, which is worth of further studies. The combination of anatase and alumina suggested hypotheses about the origin of the starting materials for the white decorations, with reference to the manufacturing period and area. This set of data resulted in new information about the Apulian vase production, enriching the knowledge about a less popular pottery typology and opening new perspectives about commercial and cultural exchanges

Colour of the past in South Caucasus: The first archaeometric investigation on rock art and pigment residues from Georgia

This research is the first archaeometric investigation of Damirgaya and Trialeti painted rock art and pigments from grinding tools from the Neolithic settlement of Khramis Didi Gora, in South Caucasus, Georgia. The aims of this research are to characterise the rocks and pigments including identification of organic binder, as well as investigate the compatibility of inorganic pigments with locally available supplies and methods of production. Stylistic similarities and influences are compared with adjacent archaeological sites from Armenia and Azerbaijan, where traces of monochromatic red pigment were recovered in settlements, barrows and artefacts. Optical microscopy (OM) on loose samples and thin sections, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were used to determine the mineralogical and chemical composition of the samples. Employing micro-Fourier-transform infrared (μ-FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, compounds were further characterized in both rock paintings and grinding tools. It was not possible to identify or ascertain the presence of binders, either because of their low concentration or complete molecular breakdown deterioration. From the pigment residues on both the rock art and grinding tools, hematite was the main colouring agent, with different associated minerals. For the rock samples, it was found that the rock art at Trialeti is on a dacite, whereas the one from Damirgaya is on a rock composed of quartz, with traces of iron oxides and phyllosilicates, suggesting that the rock originated from hydrothermal activity. The research presented here is the first chemical and mineralogical characterization of pigment residues and rock art from South Caucasian prehistory

Epsilon iron oxide: origin of the high coercivity stable low Curie temperature magnetic phase found in heated archeological materials

The identification of epsilon iron oxide (ɛ-Fe2O3) as the low Curie temperature high coercivity stable phase (HCSLT) carrying the remanence in heated archeological samples has been achieved in samples from two archeological sites that exhibited the clearest evidence of the presence of the HCSLT. This uncommon iron oxide has been detected by Confocal Raman Spectroscopy (CRS) and characterized by rock magnetic measurements. Large numbers of ɛ-Fe2O3 microaggregates (in CO) or isolated clusters (in HEL) could be recognized, distributed over the whole sample, and embedded within the ceramic matrix, along with hematite and pseudobrookite and with minor amounts of anatase, rutile, and maghemite. Curie temperature estimates of around 170°C for CO and 190°C for HEL are lower than for pure, synthetic ɛ-Fe2O3 (227°C). This, together with structural differences between the Raman spectra of the archeologically derived and synthetic samples, is likely due to Ti substitution in the ɛ-Fe2O3 crystal lattice. The γ-Fe2O3-ɛ-Fe2O3-α-Fe2O3 transformation series has been recognized in heated archeological samples, which may have implications in terms of their thermal history and in the factors that govern the formation of ɛ-Fe2O3

Cooking traces on Copper Age pottery from central Italy: An integrated approach comprising use wear analysis, spectroscopic analysis and experimental archaeology

This contribution discusses the results of an integrated approach of use wear analysis, spectroscopic analysis and experimental archaeology, applied for the investigation of the actual use of selected ceramic vessels, taken from domestic Copper Age contexts in the modern Rome area. This study is based upon the consideration of a vessel as a tool, used during everyday life and thus reflecting human activities and social behaviours. To this end, the paper here presented proposes an interpretation of the actual use activities which led to the modification of prehistoric vessels. The methodology of this study integrates the traditional approach to ceramic use wear studies, based on experimental and ethnoarchaeological studies, with principles of tribology, along with the application of a dedicated experimental framework which enabled the development of a detailed collection of comparative use wear. Moreover, the application of spectroscopic analysis provided preliminary data related to the charred encrustations found inside the archaeological specimens. These data, when combined with use wear, palaeobotanical remains and archaeological preserved structures, aided interpretation of the archaeological ceramic vessels as cooking pots

A preliminary study of ceramic pastes in the copper age pottery production of the Rome area

This paper presents the preliminary results of an analytical study on domestic pottery samples originating from the Copper Age sites of Casetta Mistici, Tor Pagnotta, Osteria del Curato-Via Cinquefrondi, Torre della Chiesaccia and Valle dei Morti, all of which are located in the Rome area (Latium, Italy). The aim of this research is to define the compositional features of the ceramic pastes and to reconstruct the main technological choices characterising pottery production in these contexts. The importance of these archaeological sites lies in their geographic position, being located in an area bounded by the Tiber and Aniene rivers and the Colli Albani volcano, and in their stratigraphic sequence, spanning from the mid-fourth to the end of the third millennium bc. This research, based on a petrographic and chemical investigation of pottery samples, led to the distinction of eight petrographic groups that reflect specific choices in pottery production. Moreover, the analytical results provide indications about the prehistoric pottery production of the Rome area in relation to the ceramic recipes used, the pastes that were obtained and their sourcing areas

Scelte tecnologiche, expertise e aspetti sociali della produzione. Una metodologia multidisciplinare applicata allo studio della ceramica eneolitica

“Making a pot is not exactly the same as being a potter”. Con questa frase in un articolo del 2008, Kostalena Michelaki introduce il suo lavoro sulle figure artigianali dell’Età del Bronzo nel sud-est dell’Ungheria e spiega come la tecnologia ceramica fornisca una chiave di lettura per lo studio della vita sociale delle comunità del passato. Questo concetto, insieme ad una più ampia e varia letteratura sulla tecnologia ceramica e non solo (ad es. Arnold 1985; Dobres 1994, Lemonnier 1993, Roux 2019), esprime pienamente l’idea che, durante gli anni di studio e le prime esperienze di ricerca, ha alimentato il mio interesse verso la ceramica e di conseguenza le figure artigianali e la loro esperienza. Scelte Tecnologiche, Expertise e Aspetti Sociali della Produzione è un libro che si occupa della tecnologia attraverso uno approccio multidisciplinare alle produzioni ceramiche eneolitiche dell’area corrispondente all’attuale città di Roma, studiate prima durante il mio percorso di dottorato di ricerca presso la Sapienza Università di Roma con una tesi dal titolo “Tecnologia e funzione nella produzione ceramica eneolitica del territorio di Roma: casi studio, problemi e potenzialità della ricerca” discussa nel 2014 e, successivamente, durante un’esperienza di post-doc presso il McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research (Università di Cambridge-UK) con il progetto TraCTUs (Tracing European Copper age Social Dynamics through Pottery Technology and Use) finanziato da una Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship nell’ambito del programma Europeo Horizon 2020. I risultati di queste ricerche sono presentati nel dettaglio e discussi attraverso le principali teorie sull’organizzazione della produzione, la specializzazione artigianale e gli studi in ambito cognitivo, con un particolare riferimento ai contributi che le ricerche sui meccanismi di apprendimento e sullo sviluppo delle abilità possono fornire per proseguire lo studio sulle figure artigianali e la complessità sociale. Il caso studio su cui è stata sviluppata la metodologia presentata in questo libro coincide con i contesti eneolitici dell’area di Roma. Questo territorio è stato per diversi anni interessato dalle ricerche e gli scavi condotti dalla Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Roma fornendo nuovi e importanti dati recentemente pubblicati da Anzidei e Carboni (2020) con una dettagliata documentazione di scavo, integrata con contributi specialistici che hanno permesso di delineare un quadro molto dinamico del popolamento di questo territorio in cui forme di complessità sociale, rispecchiate soprattutto dai contesti funerari, iniziano ad emergere. L’Eneolitico infatti è un periodo chiave non solo per le importanti trasformazioni come l’introduzione di una nuova tecnologia, quale l’uso dei metalli, ma coincide anche con un a fase di passaggio dalle società neolitiche ai nuovi sistemi di organizzazione socio economica dell’Età del Bronzo

Cooking traces on Copper Age pottery from central Italy: An integrated approach comprising use wear analysis, spectroscopic analysis and experimental archaeology

This contribution discusses the results of an integrated approach of use wear analysis, spectroscopic analysis and experimental archaeology, applied for the investigation of the actual use of selected ceramic vessels, taken from domestic Copper Age contexts in the modern Rome area. This study is based upon the consideration of a vessel as a tool, used during everyday life and thus reflecting human activities and social behaviours. To this end, the paper here presented proposes an interpretation of the actual use activities which led to the modification of prehistoric vessels. The methodology of this study integrates the traditional approach to ceramic use wear studies, based on experimental and ethnoarchaeological studies, with principles of tribology, along with the application of a dedicated experimental framework which enabled the development of a detailed collection of comparative use wear. Moreover, the application of spectroscopic analysis provided preliminary data related to the charred encrustations found inside the archaeological specimens. These data, when combined with use wear, palaeobotanical remains and archaeological preserved structures, aided interpretation of the archaeological ceramic vessels as cooking pots