200°C/h, lh soaking time at the peak temperature). Results for the
major elements, with the exception of sulfur, are normalized to
a constant sum of 100%.
Thin section studies
Thin sections were examined on a Carl Zeiss Jena polarizing
Amplival type microscope. Non-plastic inclusions and the image of
the matrix can be used for a classification of potsherds.
Quantitative mineralogical composition was determined using the
point-counting method (ca 1000 counts per sample). Grain-size
distribution (granulometric analysis) was determined by area-
counting.
Measurement of ceramic properties
Open porosity, water absorption and apparent density were
determined before and after refiring. Small parts of potsherds were
refired in a laboratory chamber furnace in 12 temperatures in the
range from 400 to 1200°C. Refiring was carried out as described
above. Ceramic properties were measured using a hydrostatic
weighing method. This is another means to characterize groups
based on different ways of preparing the bodies (Daszkiewicz et al.
1995) and to estimate original firing temperatures.
RESULTS
The results of this study can be summarized as follows:
All of the investigated samples were made from a calcium-
rich clay, the CaO contents varying from 11% to 20% (tab.l).
Refiring experiments at 1150°C indicate clearly that all the
investigated samples were made from marly clays more or less
colored by iron compounds. Calcium (Ca) is present in the samples
as very fine calcite dispersed in the matrix and/or as non-plastic
inclusions of calcite of larger size or aggregates of marl. In a low-
fired sherd (MD2115), the calcium content derives from primary
carbonates, dispersed in the marly clay matrix, and from coarse
227
major elements, with the exception of sulfur, are normalized to
a constant sum of 100%.
Thin section studies
Thin sections were examined on a Carl Zeiss Jena polarizing
Amplival type microscope. Non-plastic inclusions and the image of
the matrix can be used for a classification of potsherds.
Quantitative mineralogical composition was determined using the
point-counting method (ca 1000 counts per sample). Grain-size
distribution (granulometric analysis) was determined by area-
counting.
Measurement of ceramic properties
Open porosity, water absorption and apparent density were
determined before and after refiring. Small parts of potsherds were
refired in a laboratory chamber furnace in 12 temperatures in the
range from 400 to 1200°C. Refiring was carried out as described
above. Ceramic properties were measured using a hydrostatic
weighing method. This is another means to characterize groups
based on different ways of preparing the bodies (Daszkiewicz et al.
1995) and to estimate original firing temperatures.
RESULTS
The results of this study can be summarized as follows:
All of the investigated samples were made from a calcium-
rich clay, the CaO contents varying from 11% to 20% (tab.l).
Refiring experiments at 1150°C indicate clearly that all the
investigated samples were made from marly clays more or less
colored by iron compounds. Calcium (Ca) is present in the samples
as very fine calcite dispersed in the matrix and/or as non-plastic
inclusions of calcite of larger size or aggregates of marl. In a low-
fired sherd (MD2115), the calcium content derives from primary
carbonates, dispersed in the marly clay matrix, and from coarse
227