Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.4154/gc.2024.18

Tracing the origin of raw materials used for the production of ancient ceramics: a case study of multi-period archaeological sites in the Turopolje area (Continental Croatia)

Natali Neral orcid.org/0000-0003-0329-2259 ; Institute of Archaeology, Zagreb, Croatia *
Andreja Kudelić orcid.org/0000-0003-2598-1653 ; Institute of Archaeology, Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Maričić orcid.org/0000-0002-9082-9917 ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Mineral Resources, Zagreb, Croatia
Marta Mileusnić orcid.org/0000-0003-3776-3661 ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Mineral Resources, Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

The selection of raw materials for ancient pottery production was influenced by a variety of technological and cultural factors, underscoring the importance of characterising these materials to understand the technology of ancient societies. This research examines ancient ceramics from two multi-period archaeological sites: Staro Čiče-Gradišće (Neolithic, Copper Age, Copper/Early Bronze Age, Early Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Roman period, and Late Mediaeval period) and Kurilovec-Belinščica (Early Bronze Age and Middle/Late Bronze Age), alongside potential clayey raw materials collected near these settlements. Using a multi-analytical approach (optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, mass and emission spectrometry, and laser granulometry), the research aims to determine the characteristics of the paste recipes (raw clay and tempers) and to examine the type and provenience of the raw materials used for ancient pottery production over different periods of the past (from the Neolithic to the Late Mediaeval period). The results showed that ancient potters preferred to use moderately plastic, sandy clay, while Bronze Age potters often used highly plastic clay. Potters utilised various non-plastic tempering materials, such as sands and gravels, grog, and mollusc shells, with their choice being influenced by the need to enhance technological properties as well as by regional and culturally determined pottery traditions. Most of the ceramics are of local origin, made from easily available raw materials that represent flood sediments of the nearby Sava River. However, non-local materials were detected in Neolithic samples, indicating the presence of exchange networks among those communities.

Keywords

Pottery; raw materials; archaeometry; provenience

Hrčak ID:

321801

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/321801

Publication date:

28.10.2024.

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