Analysis of Hellenistic and Roman Fine Pottery From Benghazi

Abstract

were subjected to cluster analysis and multivariate statistics using standard computer library packages available at the Oxford University Computing Service. These methods are described in more detail where appropriate.Approximately 300 sherds were analysed during the project, but of these only about 120 were selected for discussion here, broadly divided into two categories. The complete set of results and a full description of the wares concerned is to be published elsewhere (Kenrick, forthcoming). The first category consists of Hellenistic black-glazed wares, which had been divided into various classes by visual inspection. Some of these classes were attributed tentatively to Attic and south Italian sources on the basis of form and fabric. The sherds analysed in this category were drawn from three of these groups, as follows:

Technological features of Apulian red figured pottery

“…Aliquots of about 30 mg of bulk ceramics (Hatcher et al, 1980), a good agreement between archaeological microdestructivity and analytical data quality, were dissolved by acid attack with a solution of 37% HCl, 70% HNO 3 and 40% HF (Fluka trace selected for trace analysis reagents), in a 2:1: (Bruno et al, 2000). Ten elements were quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry (Shimadzu AA-6701 spectrometer): Na, K, Fe, Ca, Mg, using an airacetylene flame, Cr, Sr and Ni by the graphite furnace method.…”

Roman Glazed Ceramics in the Western Mediterranean: Chemical Characterization by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry of Ceramic Bodies

“…Powdered samples were dried to constant weight at 110 C. Open-beaker dissolution in Teflon-tubes was used to prepare sample solutions. Powdered sample (50 mg) was placed in a Teflon vessel and HNO 3 -HCl/HF/HNO 3 -HClO 4 were added in several steps with heating (Hatcher et al, 1980). After dissolution, samples were diluted to a final volume of 50 ml.…”

Development and calibration of a WDXRF routine applied to provenance studies on archaeological ceramics

“…The first attempts to examine the origin of archaeological ceramics on the basis of their elemental composition were implemented in the late 1950s using neutron activation analysis (NAA), X‐ray fluorescence or optical emission spectroscopy (OES) . Since then, the approach has been further developed, and over the years, a wide range of additional analytical methods have been employed, such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) . The basic principle of the approach remained the same: first, ceramic assemblages are characterised in terms of their elemental content, and then, they are grouped statistically on the basis of similarities in composition.…”