Neutron activation analysis of ancient Egyptian pottery
This work was concerned with compositional analysis of archaeological ceramics from the Nile Valley and surrounding region. This is a vital step in the tracing patterns of ceramic production in Ancient Egypt, a topic which has not been investigated in any detail because of the apparent physical homogeneity of the raw materials. For this reason a large number of elements (22) was measured by neutron activation to give maximum differentiation between the samples. Multivariate clustering methods were used to identify sample groups on the basis of their composition. The main aim of the work was to examine the basis of the fabric classification procedure known as the Vienna System, in terms of the elemental composition of the ceramics. This was achieved, not only in terms of the major fabric groups ( Nile alluvium and Marl clays) but also in finer detail. The composition of these Egyptian pottery sherds is therefore a complex function of the fabric and of the geographical origin ( provenance) since clay compositions vary from place to place. In the case of the Marl fabrics, the compositional variations associated with the fabric are large and overshadow variations arising from provenance, whereas for the Nile alluvium
Bernedo, Alfredo Victor Bellido
Archaeological ceramics
Neutron activation analysis of ancient Egyptian pottery. This work was concerned with compositional analysis of archaeological ceramics from the Nile Valley and surrounding region. This is a vital step in the tracing patterns of ceramic production in Ancient Egypt, a topic which has not been investigated in any detail because of the apparent physical homogeneity of the raw materials. For this reason a large number of elements (22) was measured by neutron activation to give maximum differentiation between the samples. Multivariate clustering methods were used to identify sample groups on the basis of their composition. The main aim of the work was to examine the basis of the fabric classification procedure known as the Vienna System, in terms of the elemental composition of the ceramics. This was achieved, not only in terms of the major fabric groups ( Nile alluvium and Marl clays) but also in finer detail. The composition of these Egyptian pottery sherds is therefore a complex function of the fabric and of the geographical origin ( provenance) since clay compositions vary from place to place. In the case of the Marl fabrics, the compositional variations associated with the fabric are large and overshadow variations arising from provenance, whereas for the Nile alluvium
neutron_activation analysis ancient_egyptian pottery work concern compositional_analysis archaeological_ceramic nile_valley surround_region vital step trace pattern ceramic_production ancient_egypt topic investigate_detail apparent physical homogeneity raw_material reason large_number element measure neutron_activation give maximum differentiation sample multivariate cluster method_use identify sample group basis composition main_aim work examine basis fabric classification procedure know vienna system term elemental_composition ceramic achieve term major fabric group nile clay also fine detail composition egyptian pottery sherd therefore complex function fabric geographical origin provenance since clay composition vary place place case fabric compositional variation associate fabric large overshadow variation arise provenance whereas nile