Ceramic petrography : the interpretation of archaeological pottery and related artefacts in thin section

Thin section ceramic petrography is a versatile interdisciplinary analytical tool for the characterization and interpretation of archaeological pottery and related artefacts, including ceramic building materials, refractories and plaster. Using over 200 colour photomicrographs of thin sections from a diverse range of artefacts, archaeological periods and geographic regions, this book illustrates the spectrum of compositional and microstructural phenomena that occur within ancient ceramics under the micro-scope and provides comprehensive guidelines for their study within archaeology. The book is structured according to the main steps involved in the analysis and interpretation of archaeological ceramic thin sections, including classification, characterization, the determination of provenance and the reconstruction of manufacturing technology. It can be used as a reference manual for microscope research as well as a course book for specialist training on thin section petrography and archaeological ceramic analysis. Table of Contents 1 Introduction to Archaeological Ceramic Analysis & Thin Section Petrography 2 Sampling, Thin Section Preparation & Analysis 3 Composition of Archaeological Ceramics in Thin Section 4 Grouping & Characterization of Archaeological Ceramics in Thin Section 5 Interpreting Ceramic Raw Materials & Provenance 6 Reconstructing Ceramic Technology 7 Petrography of Ceramic Building Materials, Metallurgical Ceramics & Plaster Appendix Petrographic Fabric Descriptions Thin section ceramic petrography is a versatile interdisciplinary analytical tool for the characterization and interpretation of archaeological pottery and related artefacts, including ceramic building materials, refractories and plaster. Using over 200 colour photomicrographs of thin sections from a diverse range of artefacts, archaeological periods and geographic regions, this book illustrates the spectrum of compositional and microstructural phenomena that occur within ancient ceramics under the micro-scope and provides comprehensive guidelines for their study within archaeology. The book is structured according to the main steps involved in the analysis and interpretation of archaeological ceramic thin sections, including classification, characterization, the determination of provenance and the reconstruction of manufacturing technology. It can be used as a reference manual for microscope research as well as a course book for specialist training on thin section petrography and archaeological ceramic analysis. Cover 1 Title Page 3 Copyright Page 4 Contents 5 Preface 7 1. Introduction to Archaeological Ceramic Analysis & Thin Section Petrograph 9 1.1 Thin Section Ceramic Petrography 12 1.2 A Brief History of Ceramic Petrography 18 1.3 Publications & Academic Forums 24 Further Reading 25 2. Sampling, Thin Section Preparation& Analysis 29 2.1 Sampling Archaeological Ceramics 29 2.2 Thin Section Preparation 31 2.3 Analytical Equipment 41 2.4 Other Resources 43 Further Reading 46 3. Composition of Archaeological Ceramicsin Thin Section 47 3.1 The Clay Matrix 47 3.2 Particulate Inclusions 52 3.3 Voids 69 Further Reading 77 4. Grouping & Characterization ofArchaeological Ceramics in Thin Section 79 4.1 Visual Classification & Description 79 4.1.1 Grouping 81 4.1.2 Description 87 4.1.3 A Modification of the Whitbread Descriptive System 88 4.1.3.1 Inclusions 91 4.1.3.2 Clay Matrix 101 4.1.3.3 Voids 105 4.1.3.4 Comments Section/Fabric Summary 108 4.2 Quantitative Characterization & Statistical Grouping 110 4.2.1 Textural Analysis 111 4.2.2 Modal Analysis 113 4.2.3 Data Collection 114 4.2.4 Statistical Classification 119 Further Reading 121 5. Interpreting Ceramic Raw Materials& Provenance 125 5.1 The Underlying Principle 125 5.2 Interpreting Ceramic Raw Materials 127 5.3 Resolution & Accuracy of Provenance Determination 130 5.4 Objectives & Sampling 137 5.5 Geological Literature 139 5.6 Raw Material Prospecting & Analysis 139 5.7 Quantitative Data 145 5.8 Micropalaeontology 148 5.9 Interpreting Provenance Data 150 Further Reading 154 6. Reconstructing Ceramic Technology 159 6.1 Raw Material Selection 161 6.2 Raw Material Processing & Paste Preparation 162 6.2.1 Crushing, Cleaning, Sieving & Levigation 162 6.2.2 Temper & Clay Mixing 164 6.2.3 Ageing & Working 179 6.3 Forming Methods 182 6.4 Finishing 189 6.5 Drying 193 6.6 Firing 196 6.6.1 Firing Temperature 198 6.6.2 Atmosphere of Firing 206 6.6.3 Firing Regime 208 6.7 Ceramic Use & Function 211 6.8 Post-Depositional Alteration of Archaeological Ceramics 212 Further Reading 219 7. Petrography of Ceramic BuildingMaterials, Refractory Ceramics, Plaster &Specialist Pottery 221 7.1 Ceramic Building Materials 221 7.2 Earthen Construction Materials 225 7.3 Refractory Ceramics 227 7.4 Other Ceramic Objects 229 7.5 Petrography of Cementitious Materials 232 7.6 Stoneware, Fritware & Porcelain 239 Further Reading 242 Appendix. Petrographic Fabric Descriptions 245 A.1 Unimodal Fabric Description 245 A.2 Bimodal Fabric Description 247 A.3 Fabric Summary 250 Index 253 Acknowledgements 261 Back Cover 264 Petrographic analysis,Ceramics,Pottery,Sherds Thin section ceramic petrography is a versatile interdisciplinary analytical tool for the characterization and interpretation of archaeological pottery. Using over 200 photomicrographs of thin sections from a diverse range of artefacts, time periods and geographic regions, this provides comprehensive guidelines for their study within archaeology.