Work

Another One Bites the Dust: Quality Control and Firing Technology in the Production of Medieval Greyware Ceramics in Catalonia, Spain

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: The following study sheds new light on the quality control procedures of ancient potters by comparing cooking vessels exported from the medieval kiln‐site of Cabrera d'Anoia (Barcelona) with ‘wasters' that were discarded at source. The firing temperature of examined sherds indicates that only pots subjected to a maximum temperature of 800–850°C were offered for sale. The potters at Cabrera d'Anoia appear to have been fully aware of the optimal balance between thermal and physical shock resistance of vessels fired within this range and strived to control firing in order to achieve better products than that of competing workshops.

Source: Archaeometry

DOI: 10.1111/arcm.12495

Authors: E. Travé Allepuz, P. S. Quinn, K. Álvaro Rueda

Institutions: University College London, Universitat de Barcelona

Language: English

Topic: Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: University College London, Departament d'Innovació, Universitats i Empresa, Generalitat de Catalunya, Universitat de Barcelona, Institute of Archaeology, University College London

Award: G5350049231