This study introduces an innovative approach for evaluating the chaîne opératoire of greyware and redware ceramics produced locally in Utrecht between the 12th and 15th centuries CE. This new approach aims to integrate compositional studies with quantitative forming technique analysis to more fully understand the production technology. For this, 59 samples were selected from four workshops which were active in three different production phases. These samples include copious wasters of grey jars and reddish lead-glazed tableware, including tripod forms, jugs, bowls and pans, representative of the range of ceramic wares in circulation in the region at the time. All samples, along with one clay sample, were subjected to compositional analysis using OM, WD-XRF, XRD and SEM-EDX. Of these 59 samples, 17 wasters from the first and second production phases were also measured by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), along with a further 21 other samples, to re-examine the gradual typo-technological change from grey jars to reddish tripod forms, as proposed in the literature. The results suggest that the production technology of local greyware and redware ceramics from Utrecht was characterised by both continuity and change. Potters seemed to favour Ca-poor, Fe-rich clay, and added quartz grains, possibly originating from fluvial deposits. Generally, both redware and greyware ceramics were fired at a low temperature, below 800 °C. Regarding the shaping of jars, analysis shows that percussion-wheeling remained the main forming technique during the first and second production phases, but a shift toward increased wheel throwing also occurred. These findings confirm the previously observed typo-technological change in these shapes. The results of this study also indicate a greater presence of lead-glazed redware from the second production phase onward, but especially in the third phase. These ceramic materials were coated with a transparent glaze with a high to very high lead content.
Advancing the chaîne opératoire analysis of medieval greyware and redware ceramics: A case study from 12th to 15th centuries CE Utrecht, the Netherlands
Barbara Borgers
;
2026
Abstract
This study introduces an innovative approach for evaluating the chaîne opératoire of greyware and redware ceramics produced locally in Utrecht between the 12th and 15th centuries CE. This new approach aims to integrate compositional studies with quantitative forming technique analysis to more fully understand the production technology. For this, 59 samples were selected from four workshops which were active in three different production phases. These samples include copious wasters of grey jars and reddish lead-glazed tableware, including tripod forms, jugs, bowls and pans, representative of the range of ceramic wares in circulation in the region at the time. All samples, along with one clay sample, were subjected to compositional analysis using OM, WD-XRF, XRD and SEM-EDX. Of these 59 samples, 17 wasters from the first and second production phases were also measured by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), along with a further 21 other samples, to re-examine the gradual typo-technological change from grey jars to reddish tripod forms, as proposed in the literature. The results suggest that the production technology of local greyware and redware ceramics from Utrecht was characterised by both continuity and change. Potters seemed to favour Ca-poor, Fe-rich clay, and added quartz grains, possibly originating from fluvial deposits. Generally, both redware and greyware ceramics were fired at a low temperature, below 800 °C. Regarding the shaping of jars, analysis shows that percussion-wheeling remained the main forming technique during the first and second production phases, but a shift toward increased wheel throwing also occurred. These findings confirm the previously observed typo-technological change in these shapes. The results of this study also indicate a greater presence of lead-glazed redware from the second production phase onward, but especially in the third phase. These ceramic materials were coated with a transparent glaze with a high to very high lead content.
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