Work

Physicochemical characterisation of pottery from the Vinca culture, Serbia, regarding the firing temperature and decoration techniques

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: A study of decorated Neolithic pottery samples from excavation site Plocnik, Serbia, was performed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. Investigated samples belong to the era of the Vinca culture which existed at the central Balkan region from mid VI until the first half of V millennium BCE. The mineralogical composition of pottery samples and comparison of investigated pottery with thermally treated local clay indicated firing temperature in the range from 600 to 800?C. Two different types of white pigments have been identified in white incrusted decorations: calcium carbonate and Bone White (composed of crushed bones). This is the first evidence of use of bones for decorations in Vinca culture pottery from excavation site Plocnik. In addition to this, it was revealed that the potters used the iron reduction technique for obtaining the black decorations.

Source: Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society

DOI: 10.2298/jsc160823100p

Authors: Nebojsa Perisic, Milica Maric-Stojanovic, Velibor Andric, Ubavka Mioc, Ljiljana Damjanovic

Institutions: University of Belgrade, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis

Subfield: Archeology (arts and humanities)

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Ministarstvo Prosvete, Nauke i Tehnološkog Razvoja

Awards: G7250924324, G8873033222