Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (7.1995(1996))

To be sure that the non-ca!careous and the calcareous groups
really correspond to different raw materials and not just to different
pre-treatment of the same raw material, we must also consider the
trace-element content. By a very fine levigation or by treatment
with acids, the amount of calcite and therefore the calcium content
of the clays can certainly be reduced. Disregarding the technical
aspect of this problem, it can be assumed that the calcium content
is reduced to a level similar to that in the non-calcareous group.
Strontium, geochemically connected with calcium, would also be
reduced but, this is not the case for chromium and nickel which are
not included in the calcite mineral. These two elements clearly
indicate, therefore, that the raw material for the calcareous pottery
and the non-calcareous Metallic Ware was not the same (Fig. 3).
Regarding the geology of the area of Tell Rad Shaqrah, outcrops
of quaternary basalts are found near the site, suggesting that the
basalt-tempered wares were locally made. Calcareous clays,
quaternary and tertiary marls and marly clays of the Lower and
Upper Fars series, are abundant. On the other hand, it is hardly
probable for non-calcareous clays low in chromium and nickel to
be found in the area.
Bibliography
G. Schneider (1988), Stoneware from 3^ millenium B.C.: Investigation
of a metal-imitating pottery from Northern Mesopotamia, in: R.M.
Farquhar, R.G.V. Hancock, L A. Palvish (eds), Proceedings of the 26^
International Archeometry Symposium, 19-22, Toronto 1988
G. Schneider (1989) A technological study of North-Mesopotamian
Stone Ware, World Archaeology 21(1), pp. 30-50

175