No abstract

The approaches of comparative studies and profile measurements, often used in order to detect post-depositional alterations of ceramics, have been applied simultaneously to two sets of Roman pottery, both including altered individuals. As analytical techniques Neutron Activation and X-Ray Diffraction have been used. Both approaches lead to substantially different results. This shows that they detect different levels of alteration and should complement each other rather than being used exclusively. For the special process of a glassy phase decomposition followed by a crystallization of the Na-zeolite analcime, the results suggest that it changes high-fired calcareous pottery fast and so fundamentally, that the results of various archaeometric techniques can be severely disturbed.

Chemical analysis is a well-established procedure for provenancing of were carried out and the results were statistically evaluated. An attempt is also made towards the establishment of calibration factors between pairs of analytical set-ups in order to smooth the systematic differences among the results.

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The study of technology transfer in pottery production to the periphery of the Mycenaean world has been addressed by considering two different areas, Southern Italy and Central Macedonia. Technological features such as ceramic paste, decoration and firing, have been determined for different ceramic groups established according to provenance criteria. The studies of technology and provenance have been performed following an archaeometric approach using neutron activation analysis, petrographic analysis, x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.The results have revealed the existence of two different models. On the one hand, Southern Italy seems to exhibit a more organised pottery production, which follows a Mycenaean-like technology, while in Central Macedonia production is probably more varied, in part based on the technology of the local tradition.