A series of corrosion experiments was carried out using identical samples of a ceramic of known composition, structure and density which were subjected to a variety of simulated soil solutions. The action of the solutions was monitored by measuring their pH as a function of time at 25 °C and 90 °C. Under all conditions the pH stabilized rapidly. Microscopic and electron microscopic studies showed the presence of reaction/alteration products that would account for the observed pH changes. The findings indicate that ancient ceramics that exhibit no physical deterioration will have below their surface a composition corresponding to the composition of the sherd at the time of its burial.
In provenance studies it is normally assumed that the concentrations of elements used for diagnostic discrimination are not affected by post-burial conditions. We analyzed 28 well preserved sherds, stored under wet conditions in a Roman garbage pit at Cologne. We also analyzed 79 sherds from assorted garbage pits and other sites about Cologne. These sherds included both well preserved and poorly preserved specimens of different types of wares. All of them were made available to us by Dr. R.C.A. Rottlander (Tubingen). As well, artificial leaching experiments were conducted. The results were augmented by optical and mineralogical analyses. The study showed that the variations in elemental concentrations among and within the subgroups did not correspond to changes in the preservation of the objects.
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