Thin Section Petrography, Geochemistry and Scanning Electron Microscopy of Archaeological Ceramics

Chapter 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