Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of Roman pottery from an archaeological site near Mosnje (Slovenia)

Roman pottery excavated from the remains of a villa rustica near Mosnje (Slovenia) was analyzed in terms of its mineralogical and basic geochemical characteristics, to elucidate the technologies of manufacture. Selected samples were examined with optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, SEM-EDS and ICP-OES. Results show that the studied pottery samples can be divided into two main groups based on the nature and size of grains; calcite-tempered pottery and pottery containing predominant fine quartz grains. This mineralogical distinction also reflects differences in production technology. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.