ARCHAEOMETRIC STUDIES ON EARLY BRONZE AGE POTTERY FROM VÖRS-MÁRIAASSZONY-SZIGET

This study presents the results of the petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical analysis of Kisapostag Culture (Early Bronze Age) pottery (jars or urns/amphorae) from Vors-Mariaasszony-sziget. This study forms a part of a major project on pottery analysis at a multi-period archaeological site. Pottery samples were chosen through macroscopic examination of fabric and form and the investigations were based on thin section petrography, X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), X-ray Fluorescence Analysis (XRF) and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). For comparison, coeval samples from a nearby settlement site – Vors-Totok dombja – were examined. The petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical properties of the sherds were compared to potential raw materials, obtained from closed archaeological units at Vors-Mariaasszony-sziget (soil samples), from shallow boreholes drilled on Mariaasszony-sziget (sand samples), and from a nearby clay mine in Vors-Battyanpuszta, 2 km north-east of the site (clay samples). The petrographic and geochemical characteristics of Kisapostag ceramics were also compared to that of the earliest ceramics of the site of Starcevo culture. It was found that most of the ceramics both from Mariaaszony-sziget and Totok dombja were tempered with grog, while in the case of two sherds from Mariaasszony-sziget carbonate sand was used as temper. That clearly reflects the use of two distinct pottery making recipes. Mineralogical composition of the ceramics and the potential raw materials are very similar, however, there are differences in geochemical composition, concerning both major and trace elements. The results of the petrographic analysis of sandy sediments of the site and clays from Battyanpuszta suggest that the raw material source of the majority of the ceramics was most probably in the closest vicinity of Mariaasszony-sziget.