A geochemical investigation of the origin of Rouletted and other related South Asian fine wares

Abstract

Pottery of the Rouletted ware family belongs to India’s Early Historic period (c. 500 BC to c. AD 200) and has been found as far east as Bali in Indonesia and as far west as Berenike in Egypt. Although they appear similar to Mediterranean products, scientific tests by the authors show that Rouletted ware Arikamedu Type 10 and Sri Lankan Grey ware had a common geological origin in India. Since Grey ware at least pre-dates the arrival of Roman pottery in India, all these related wares were probably the products of indigenous communities.