Geochemical proxies for provenancing Cypriot pottery classes from Early to Late Bronze Age contexts

The project described here has evolved from previous geoarchaeological research, undertaken at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, regarding the application of lead (Pb) isotopic analysis in ceramic provenance (Renson et al. 2013). The encouraging results demanded further investigation in the direction of isotopic provenance, by incorporating an additional system, strontium (Sr). The complex nature of the applied techniques - which are also rather exotic to the field of ceramic provenance - requires the definition of a methodological framework, serving to delineate the cases in which such an approach would be useful for ceramic research and to help interpret the results correctly. Interesting as they are, methodological inquiries such as these can turn the focus away from the true essence of archaeometry - archaeology, that is. This is the reason why this project is complemented by a strong backbone of relevant archaeological questions.

In this short communication we focus on the methodological framework as it has developed so far. More specifically, we investigate how isotopes relate to petrographic fabric, a most useful descriptor for ceramic provenance research. A short case study from the Cypriot Late Bronze Age site of Alassa-Pano Mandilaris is presented to showcase the potential of isotopic analysis in reassessing petrographic fabrics and describing potential clay sources.

Publication year:2014

Keywords:ceramics, provenance, isotopes, Cyprus