The study of the decoration on a pot’s surface is essential in gaining insight into the pot’s function and aesthetic quality. At the same time, the coatings, the finishing techniques, and the decorative patterns, all allow a deep understanding into the potter’s technological know-how. This presentation focuses on polychrome decorated pottery from the site of Mahtoutabad in south-eastern Iran (Madjidzadeh, 2002; Madjidzadeh & Pittman, 2008; Desset et al., 2013; Vidale & Desset, 2013). This ceramic class is characterized by brown linear motives on buff surface, but often two or three colours decorate the same pot (red/brown, black, white). Its production is dated from the late 5th/early 4th mil. BCE until the 3rd mil. BCE and is attested in contemporary sites in Iran and possibly in Pakistan (Vidale & Desset, 2013). The early dating, the large-scale, specialized, and long-lasting production of this pottery, as well as its changes into the mid-4th mil. BCE— so-called Aliabad ware—, raise important questions about the potters’ ability of producing this exceptional style. The ongoing macroscopic investigation of Mahtoutabad’s pottery provides valuable information. However, this project takes a step beyond the typological documentation and explores the technological characteristics of this assemblage. The aims of this study are multiple: i) to clarify the conditions under which the polychromy is achieved (firing atmosphere, raw materials, specific techniques); ii) to detect possible technological changes in the production throughout the site’s lifespan; and iii) to address questions regarding the production organization, the potters’ skills, the degree of specialization, and the technological choices, as well as to validate them through an experimental approach. To achieve these, a multi-disciplinary, three-staged approach will be followed integrating: a) macroscopic examination of the material, b) application of analytical techniques (ceramic petrography, XRPD, μ-XRD, μ-XRF, SEM-EDX, XRF), and c) experimental reproduction of pots and their coatings. This work presents the preliminary results of an ongoing MSCA PhD project and offers an opportunity to discuss the operational sequence of the polychrome decorated pottery from Mahtoutabad, throughout its lifespan. The results provide also a first glance at the role of this production within the social context of south-eastern Iran in the 4th–3rd mil. BCE.
FROM MACRO TO MICRO: ADVANCED AND EXPERIMENTAL METHODS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF FINISHING TECHNIQUES AND POST-FIRING TREATMENTS ON ANCIENT CERAMICS
Eirini Koutouvaki
Membro del Collaboration Group
;Massimo VidaleMembro del Collaboration Group
;Lara MaritanMembro del Collaboration Group
2023
Abstract
The study of the decoration on a pot’s surface is essential in gaining insight into the pot’s function and aesthetic quality. At the same time, the coatings, the finishing techniques, and the decorative patterns, all allow a deep understanding into the potter’s technological know-how. This presentation focuses on polychrome decorated pottery from the site of Mahtoutabad in south-eastern Iran (Madjidzadeh, 2002; Madjidzadeh & Pittman, 2008; Desset et al., 2013; Vidale & Desset, 2013). This ceramic class is characterized by brown linear motives on buff surface, but often two or three colours decorate the same pot (red/brown, black, white). Its production is dated from the late 5th/early 4th mil. BCE until the 3rd mil. BCE and is attested in contemporary sites in Iran and possibly in Pakistan (Vidale & Desset, 2013). The early dating, the large-scale, specialized, and long-lasting production of this pottery, as well as its changes into the mid-4th mil. BCE— so-called Aliabad ware—, raise important questions about the potters’ ability of producing this exceptional style. The ongoing macroscopic investigation of Mahtoutabad’s pottery provides valuable information. However, this project takes a step beyond the typological documentation and explores the technological characteristics of this assemblage. The aims of this study are multiple: i) to clarify the conditions under which the polychromy is achieved (firing atmosphere, raw materials, specific techniques); ii) to detect possible technological changes in the production throughout the site’s lifespan; and iii) to address questions regarding the production organization, the potters’ skills, the degree of specialization, and the technological choices, as well as to validate them through an experimental approach. To achieve these, a multi-disciplinary, three-staged approach will be followed integrating: a) macroscopic examination of the material, b) application of analytical techniques (ceramic petrography, XRPD, μ-XRD, μ-XRF, SEM-EDX, XRF), and c) experimental reproduction of pots and their coatings. This work presents the preliminary results of an ongoing MSCA PhD project and offers an opportunity to discuss the operational sequence of the polychrome decorated pottery from Mahtoutabad, throughout its lifespan. The results provide also a first glance at the role of this production within the social context of south-eastern Iran in the 4th–3rd mil. BCE.
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