Archaeometric Analysis of Ancient Pottery
Summary
Archaeometric analysis of ancient pottery encompasses a suite of scientific methods aimed at characterising the composition, manufacturing technology and thermal history of ceramic artefacts. By probing mineralogy, chemistry and microstructure, researchers reconstruct raw-material provenance, firing regimes and chaînes opératoires employed by past communities. These insights illuminate craft traditions, trade routes and technological innovation across diverse regions and chronologies. Advances in non-destructive and high-resolution instrumentation, coupled with multivariate data analysis, have enhanced the precision of compositional fingerprinting and temperature estimation. The interdisciplinary nature of the field unites archaeology, materials science and geochemistry, generating findings that inform heritage conservation, experimental replication and sustainable craft practice.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent studies have introduced an improved Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy method for estimating firing temperatures of ceramic bronze-casting moulds from early Shang-period China. The approach quantifies infrared absorptivity at the Si–O–Si stretching band, revealing that many moulds were fired at unusually low temperatures (200–300 °C). This quantitative calibration refines our understanding of metallurgical workshop conditions and underscores the importance of infrared techniques in reconstructing ancient technological choices.
Archaeometric Analysis of Ancient Pottery publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in archaeometric analysis of ancient pottery across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
FTIR spectroscopy: Analytical technique measuring infrared absorption bands to identify mineral phases and estimate firing temperatures.
μ-Raman spectroscopy: Non-destructive vibrational spectroscopy probing molecular bonds to characterise clay minerals and thermal transformations.
Total-reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF): Surface-sensitive method for quantifying trace and major elements to establish geochemical fingerprints.
Chemometrics: Application of multivariate statistical and computational methods to interpret complex chemical datasets.
Isotopic analysis: Measurement of stable isotope ratios in raw materials or glazes to determine geological provenance.
Provenance: Determination of the geographic or geological origin of raw materials or finished products based on scientific evidence.
Chaîne opératoire: Conceptual framework describing the sequence of actions and decisions in artefact production.
Archaeometry: Interdisciplinary field applying physical and chemical techniques to the study of archaeological materials.
References
- A new FTIR method for estimating the firing temperature of ceramic bronze-casting moulds from early China. Scientific Reports (2021).
- μ-Raman spectroscopy as a useful tool for improving knowledge of ancient ceramic manufacturing technologies. Applied Clay Science (2024).
- Combination of Total-Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Method and Chemometric Techniques for Provenance Study of Archaeological Ceramics. Molecules (2023).
- Isotopic investigations of Chinese ceramics. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences (2020).
- Archaeological Science and Experimental Archaeology Can Inform Sustainable Innovative Craft. Sustainability (2023).
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