Κατεύθυνση Προϊστορική Αρχαιολογία
Library of the School of Philosophy

2018-11-22

2018

Christodoulou Kyriaki

Χασιακού Αφροδίτη, Λέκτορας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Κυλίκογλου Βασίλης, Διευθυντής Ερευνών, Ινστιτούτο Νανοεπιστήμης και Νανοτεχνολογίας, Ε.Κ.Ε.Φ.Ε. Δημόκριτος
Παπαδάτος Ιωάννης, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ

Τυπολογία και τεχνολογία κατασκευής των επικασσιτερωμένων κεραμικών αγγείων στον προϊστορικό αιγαιακό χώρο: αρχαιομετρική μελέτη επικασσιτερωμένων αγγείων της Δειράδας Άργους

Greek

Typology and production technology of tin coated vessels in prehistoric Aegean: archaeometric study of tin coated vessels from Deiras, Argos Argos

The present study attempts to shed light on the typology and the manufacture of Aegean tinned pottery. The first part of the study includes the geographic and chronological classification of tinned vessels that have been so far recognized in Aegean. The second part of the study focuses on the investigation of the technological features of tin coated vessels by analyzing microscopically tinned ceramics from the cemetery of Deiras in Argos. Archaeometric analysis is combined with experimental procedures in order to clarify the technological method that applied for the manufacture of tin coated vessels. Deira’s tin coated material fulfills the targets of this study since it belongs chronologically to LHIIIA and LHIIIB, two phases that correspond to the massive production of this unique ceramic category.
Τin coating on ceramic surfaces is a unique phenomenon, if we bear in mind that tin in antiquity was usually mixed with copper and was found rarely in pure form. On the basis of the current research, it is most likely that the five suggested tin sources of Near and Middle East have supplied the Aegean with this exotic material. It is worth noting that he absence of tin coated vessels in these areas proves that tinned pottery was an Aegean innovation.
After the examination of tin coated material, it turned out that tinned vessels extend to a wide geographic range, comprising sites of Crete, Greek Mainland, Thessaly and Dodecanese. Regarding their chronological variation, the first evidence comes from Crete dating to MMII-III period, and after a gap during LM/LHI period, the technique reappears during LM/LHII and continues to exist until LM/LHIIIB. The majority of tinned coated vessels were placed as grave goods in chamber tombs, and in few cases, in tholos tombs and shaft graves. Typologically, the vessels respond to close and open vessels, among which the last predominated, especially the shape of kylix.
The archaeometric analysis of tin coated vessels of Deiras certified the existence of pure tin, which, under optical microscope, formed black-grayish patches or whitish layers due to the oxidation of the metal. Superposed metallic layers were detected under scanning electron microscope (SEM). The layers were detached from the ceramic surface, which certifies the attachment of thin foils of tin. Experiments provide the application of thin foils of tin as the best method, and thus, reveal that a protein glue had to be used in order to be well-attached. Another important observation is the change of tin’s color from silver to gold, when reaching temperatures between 210˚-230˚C.

Archaeology

tin coated vessels, Aegean, Bronze Age, cemetery of Deiras, optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS)

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https://pergamos.lib.uoa.gr/uoa/dl/object/2820136