Raw Materials for Archaeological Pottery from the Campania Region of Italy: A Petrophysical Characterization

Abstract

We performed petrophysical analyses on 34 clayey samples of different geological origin within the Campania region of Italy in order to determine possible sources of raw materials used to produce ancient pottery. Possible raw material sources can be grouped into high-CaO clays (HCC) and low-CaO clays (LCC). HCC are mainly represented by more recent (Miocene-Pleistocene) basinal sediments whereas LCC tend to be associated with basinal, alluvial, and pyroclastic deposits. A chemical comparison between clayey raw materials, modern ceramic replicas, and Campanian archaeological ceramics of several typologies (common ware, cooking ware, fine tableware, amphorae, and bricks) from 8th century B.C. to the Middle Ages (a total of 350 ceramic samples) indicates that HCC were extensively used for common wares and that these were either mixed with temper or levigated. In contrast, most of the LCC were used for the production of cookware. We also analyzed the technological potential of the sampled raw materials, taking into consideration their actual and possible uses. We observed that most HCC deposits were well suited for tableware and amphorae, whereas LCC were better for cookware and some fine tableware

The crystallization of shoshonitic to peralkaline trachyphonolitic magmas in a H2O–Cl–F-rich environment at Ischia (Italy), with implications for the feeder system of the Campania Plain volcanoes

“…The Ischia activity is dominated by the emplacement of pyroclastic rocks, related to the caldera formation. The seaward ingression has permitted the sedimentation of clay deposits rich in quartz, carbonates (e.g., De Bonis et al, 2013) and microfossils (foraminifera, ostracoda; Barra et al, 1992). Mt.…”

Local production and imitations of Late Roman pottery from a well in the Roman necropolis of Cuma in Naples, Italy

“…Hierarchical cluster analysis dendrogram (d) resulting from multivariate statistical analyses of chemical data. Clays from the Island of Ischia (IS 1, 2, 3, 5, 6) and the Argille Varicolori Formation (SQ1, TRE1; data from De Bonis et al, ) were also reported for comparison [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]…”

“…With respect to sources of clay, basinal sediments along with alluvial deposits and strongly weathered pyroclastic soils are exposed in the study area and farther inland (De Bonis et al, ). Basinal clays mainly crop out along the Apennine chain and are composed of clayey deposits of the lower Messinian Sicilide Unit ( Argille Varicolori ) and by the Mio‐Pliocene successions of the Pietraroja Formation (Bonardi, Ciarcia, Di Nocera, Montano, & Sgrosso, ).…”

“…Basinal clays mainly crop out along the Apennine chain and are composed of clayey deposits of the lower Messinian Sicilide Unit ( Argille Varicolori ) and by the Mio‐Pliocene successions of the Pietraroja Formation (Bonardi, Ciarcia, Di Nocera, Montano, & Sgrosso, ). Upper Pleistocene marine clays are exposed on the island of Ischia, considered to be one of the most important clay sources in the Bay of Naples (De Bonis et al, ; Grifa et al, ). Alluvial clayey sediments are mostly represented by Quaternary river deposits that fill the flood plains of the Volturno River.…”

“…Alluvial clayey sediments are mostly represented by Quaternary river deposits that fill the flood plains of the Volturno River. Clays derived from weathered pyroclastic deposits are locally exposed around the Campanian volcanoes (the Phlegraean Fields, Somma‐Vesuvius, and Roccamonfina) and, in some cases (e.g., the village of Cascano near Roccamonfina and Sorrento Peninsula), are currently used for traditional ceramic production (De Bonis et al, ).…”