Ceramic Micropalaeontology

Abstract

Microfossils found in archaeological ceramics include representatives of kingdoms Fungi, Protista, Plantae, and Animalia and are composed of calcite, silica, or resistant organic compounds capable of withstanding firing. Methods by which microfossils are isolated for study vary considerably, but the best results involve the disaggregation of potsherds into their individual grains or by cutting petrological thin sections. Microfossils can be related directly to the age and depositional environment of the source materials (clays, temper, and slip) used in the manufacturing process, although the introduction of contaminants at the time of construction must also be recognized. When incorporated into an integrated analysis, the microfossils may demonstrate provenance; contribute to a better understanding of the local environment and landscape; identify transportation routes; contribute to an understanding of the technology used, including construction methods and firing; and elucidate the use to which the vessels were put.

Nonmarine Ostracoda as proxies in (geo‐)archaeology — A review

“…Ostracods found in, for example, pottery or building material can be useful in indicating provenance, thus distinguishing between locally produced and imported materials, thus pointing to trading and exchanges, or distributions, mobility/migrations and settlement shifts (see Quinn, 2008, 2013; Quinn & Day, 2007a; Wilkinson, 2017; Williams et al, 2016, 2017). In this section, fossil marine ostracods will also be considered, as the ostracod‐bearing materials may originate from very different settings than where they were sampled.…”

“…Another interesting aspect of using microfossils in geoarchaeological studies is provenance analysis. They may indicate locations or regions of origin because of their specific distribution in space and time, thus enabling reconstruction of trade connections, exchanges or distributions, mobility/migration and settlement shifts (e.g., Quinn, 2008Quinn, , 2013Wilkinson, 2017;Wilkinson et al, 2016Wilkinson et al, , 2017.…”

Novel nannofossils extraction methodology from paintings coupled with GC-MS for provenance determination and binder analysis

“…We focus this study on calcareous nannofossils assemblages. They were already used for ceramic provenance analysis (33)(34)(35)(36)(37) but are less analysed for painted artworks (22,38). Calcareous nannofossils are used since the sixties in the geological elds and for provenance analysis since the nineteenth century (39,40).…”