Raman spectroscopy together with the scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction were applied to study the firing parameters (temperature and atmosphere) of medieval pottery from Karelian hill forts in the North‐Western Ladoga region (Russia). Because the evidences of pottery manufacture including firing facilities were not discovered during the excavations of medieval Karelian fortresses, the application of Raman spectroscopy combined with the other techniques appeared to be an effective approach to reconstruct the technology of ceramic production in medieval Karelia. Scanning electron microscopy ‐energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that the Karelian pottery refers to noncalcareous and low‐temperature fired ceramics. Using the thermometer based on the thermal evolution of Raman spectral parameters of the charcoal identified in the ceramic paste of some specimens, the firing temperature for those was estimated to be close to 800 °C. These data are in accordance with the more frequent occurrence of anatase rather than rutile in the studied ceramic sherds that also corresponds to low firing temperature. The presence of hematite suggests firing in oxidizing atmosphere, in rare case the detected magnetite indicated the incomplete oxidizing atmosphere. The reconstruction of Karelian pottery firing procedure based on the obtained data supposes that the firing was carried out in bonfires. The present study contributes to the deciphering the firing conditions for noncalcareous and low‐temperature burnt ceramics, for which no significant modifications of starting minerals during heating are usually observed.

A rare crucible with an unusually large volume and a pot-shaped bottom was excavated at the Tiversk hillfort (late 13–14th century—1411 AD) in the North-Western Ladoga region (Russia). ICP-MS data showed that the crucible might be attributed to local technical ceramics. Because of its specific volume and shape, which are not typical for crucibles used in non-ferrous metallurgy in medieval Karelia, earlier it had been attributed to the technical ceramics used for the cementation of iron. The present research has revealed tin bronze metal alloy along with copper sulfide minerals recorded on the crucible walls, suggesting it might have been used in non-ferrous metal working. Thermal treatment of the crucible at temperatures above 1050 °C is evidenced by the heterogeneous composition of quartz, the thermal breakdown of biotite, recorded in the temper of the ceramic fabric, and Raman spectra characteristics of hematite.

ученые записки петрозаводского государственного университета © Сумманен И. М., 2018 «Белоглиняная» керамика городищ Северо-Западного Приладожья: типология, технология, место производства 23 ing the shoulder. One of the most controversial issues was the identification of the place where the white-burning clay ceramics were manufactured. The problem was tackled with the help of ICP-MS analysis. The method proved its effectiveness in the earlier provenance studies of the red-burning clay ceramics of Karelian hillforts. The obtained research data evidence that kaolin ceramics found at Karelian hillforts could have been produced by local manufacture.

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