Description
Book SynopsisThin section petrography, geochemistry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction are key scientific methods used to investigate the raw materials, origins and production technology of archaeological pottery, ceramic building materials, ancient refractories and plaster. Using over 400 colour figures of a diverse range of artefact types and archaeological periods from 50 countries worldwide, this book outlines the mineralogical, chemical and microstructural composition of ancient ceramics and provides comprehensive guidelines for their scientific study within archaeology. The core of the book is dedicated to the versatile approach of ceramic petrography. This is complimented by a detailed account of the principles of bulk instrumental geochemistry, as well as the SEM microanalysis and XRD characterisation of ceramics. The book is intended as a reference manual for research as well as a course text for specialist training on scientific ceramic analysis.
Trade Review‘Quinn must be congratulated for providing the reader with a detailed account of how to take ancient and modern ceramic studies to a new and exciting level of research.’ – George Nash (2022): Current Archaeology (issue 393)
'Quinn’s magnum opus, published in late July 2022, is certainly the most recent and up-to-date textbook for the study of archaeological ceramics. It is valuable both as a textbook for students and as a handbook for senior scholars, keeping up with the fast changes that have occurred in the study of ancient pottery by thin section petrography.' – Charles C. Kolb (2023): The SAS Bulletin Online
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction to Archaeological Ceramics & Compositional Analysis ;
Archaeological Ceramics ;
Ceramic Compositional Analysis ;
Introduction to Thin Section Petrography ;
Further Reading ;
Chapter 2: Sampling, Preparation & Analysis of Ceramic Thin Sections ;
Introduction ;
Sampling ;
Thin Section Preparation ;
Analytical Equipment ;
Other Resources ;
Curation & Access to Thin Sections ;
Further Reading ;
Chapter 3: Composition of Archaeological Ceramics in Thin Section ;
Introduction ;
The Clay Matrix ;
Particulate Inclusions ;
Voids ;
Further Reading ;
Chapter 4: Classification & Characterisation of Archaeological Ceramics in Thin Section ;
Introduction ;
Visual Classification & Description ;
Quantitative Characterisation & Statistical Grouping ;
Macroscopic Fabric Analysis ;
Further Reading ;
Chapter 5: Petrographic Provenance Determination ;
Introduction ;
Geological Characterisation of Ceramic Raw Materials ;
Provenance Resolution ;
Geological Literature & Fieldwork ;
Quantitative Provenance Determination ;
Micropalaeontology ;
Interpreting Provenance Data ;
Further Reading ;
Chapter 6: Reconstructing Ancient Ceramic Technology in Thin Section ;
Introduction ;
Raw Material Selection & Procurement ;
Raw Material Processing & Paste Preparation ;
Forming Methods ;
Finishing ;
Drying ;
Firing ;
Ceramic Use & Function ;
Post-Depositional Alteration of Archaeological Ceramics ;
Further Reading ;
Chapter 7: Other Ceramic Materials in Thin Section ;
Introduction ;
Architectural Ceramics ;
Unfired Clay Structures ;
Refractory Ceramics ;
Other Ceramic Objects ;
Petrography of Cementitious Materials ;
Stoneware, Fritware, Porcelain & Faience ;
Further Reading ;
Chapter 8: Instrumental Geochemistry of Archaeological Ceramics ;
Introduction ;
The Chemical Composition of Ceramics ;
Equipment & Preparation ;
Quality Control ;
Descriptive Statistics ;
Choice of Elements ;
Normalisation, Standardisation & Transformation ;
Detecting Geochemical Patterning ;
Data Presentation ;
Reconciling Geochemical & Petrographic Data ;
Geochemical Provenance Interpretation ;
Geochemistry & Ceramic Technology ;
Further Reading ;
Chapter 9: Scanning Electron Microscopy & X-Ray Diffraction of Archaeological Ceramics ;
Introduction ;
Scanning Electron Microscopy ;
SEM Geochemical Characterisation ;
SEM Mineralogical Characterisation ;
SEM versus Thin Section Petrography & Bulk Geochemistry ;
X-Ray Diffraction Analysis of Ceramics ;
Further Reading
