Chemical and Mineralogical Alteration of Ceramics from A Late Bronze Age Kiln At Kommos, Crete: the Effect On the Formation of A Reference Group

TLDR

Reference group formation is a key step in chemical provenance studies of archaeological pottery, and ancient kiln material is especially suitable because it represents a distinct unit of past production. The study aimed to analyze Late Minoan IA kiln pottery from Kommos, Crete to create a reference group and to develop procedures that compensate for alterations affecting the data. Samples were analyzed using combined chemical, mineralogical, and microstructural techniques, and procedures were developed to correct for alterations and data perturbations. The study could not initially establish a clear chemical reference group because compositional variability arose from different ceramic pastes, selective alterations, contaminations, firing temperatures, and burial conditions.

Abstract

The formation of reference groups comprises an important procedure in chemical provenance studies of archaeological pottery. Material from ancient kilns is thought to be especially suitable for reference groups, as it comprises a definite unit of past production. Pottery from the Late Minoan IA kiln excavated at Kommos, Crete was analysed in order to produce a reference group in this important area of Minoan ceramic production. The samples were characterized by a combination of techniques providing information on the chemistry, mineralogy and microstructure of the ceramic body. Initially, the study was unable to establish, in a straightforward manner, a chemical reference group. Different ceramic pastes and a range of selective alterations and contaminations, affected by variable firing temperatures and burial environment, were shown to be responsible for the compositional variability. Procedures are described to compensate for such alterations and the perturbations in the data that they produce.