Archaeology and Clays

Description

This volume presents the proceedings of a symposium held at the 37th annual Clay Minerals Society meeting in Chicago (2000), for geologists, clay mineralogists and archaeologists to discuss the type and origin of the materials and resource areas used by ancient potters. It includes discussions of the material in its mineralogical aspect, both at the plastic (clay) and non-plastic (temper) phases, with a view to resolving archaeological problems. The interdisciplinary scope of the studies presented is enhanced by the dual background of many contributors (with training in anthropology and different aspects of ceramic analysis), and by team efforts, working in close partnership and involving scholars specialized in material sciences, chemistry and geology, as well as archaeologists, art historians and classical academics. The international panel of contributors in this volume also offers a broad perspective of clay and ceramic analysis from different geographical areas, in both the Old and New Worlds.