Assessing the Firing of Ceramic Materials: a Seriation-Based Approach

Overview & Synopsis

The study of the firing of archaeological ceramics is a key factor in interpreting ancient techniques and related social practices. This study proposes a new method based on the correspondence analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data (XRD), aiming to provide an alternative to the so-called Equivalent Firing Temperature framework. The properties of correspondence analysis and its application for matrix seriation enable the description of the firing of a ceramic assemblage. The application of correspondence analysis to XRD data of Iron Age ceramics revealed the significant potential of this statistical method in the technological analysis of ancient pottery. This allows to order a large number of samples according to a firing gradient and to track mineralogical transformations occurring during firing. This method should let to more precise comparisons than those based on estimating the equivalent firing temperature.