| Egyptian Journal of Archeological and Restoration Studies

Authors:
Al-Shorman, A. & Al-Omari, M.
Archaeology dept., Faculty of Archaeology & Anthropology, Yarmouk Univ., Irbid, Jordan

Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate and determine the raw materials, manufacturing technology, and provenance of a collection of Abbasid pottery sherds excavated from Um Qais, Northern Jordan. The samples were classified into three groups based on form and function, color, paste, and decorations. Chemical composition of the paste of the samples was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The mineralogical content and texture of the pastes were examined using polarized light microscope (thin sections) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. In addition to XRD results, the refiring test combined with the investigation of microstructures (vitrification) resulting from refiring using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), was used to determine the initial firing temperatures of the studied sherds. The results obtained from this study indicate that the pottery sherds were manufactured from calcareous clay. The Abbasid ceramists in Um Qais treated this clay according to the pot form to fulfill its function. X-ray diffractographs showed the formation of gehlenite and diopside minerals, and the SEM micrographs revealed that the micro-structure (vitrification) of the original samples reached extensive vitrification. Thus, the ceramists initially fired these pots at temperatures ranging between 800 and 950 °C in an oxidizing atmosphere. The raw materials used in the production of the sherds are available in Um Qais and its surrounding area, indicating that the study samples were locally made.

Keywords:
Pottery Raw materials manufacturing technology Abbasid pottery Archaeometry Gadara

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