The ancient potteries petrographical study of the Kahnek site of Sarbisheh (Southern Khorasan) in order to investigate the nature of additives to clay matrix and determine their origin: implication in the geoarchaeology

Authors

1 Faculty member of Department of Geology, University of Birjand

2 The expert of Cultural Heritage Administration

Abstract

As one of the branches of archaeometry, geoarchaeology deals with the application of earth sciences (geomorphology, sedimentology, soil science and stratigraphy) in solving problems related to archaeology. One of the applications of sedimentological science in archeological studies is the investigation of sedimentary petrography of ancient ceramics thin sections. The Kahnek archaeosite is located 50 meters away from Kahnek village and south of the Sarbisheh city (Southern Khorasan). In the petrographic study of the ancient pottery thin sections of this area (7 pottery samples), the pottery paste has been separated into three components: clay matrix, inclusions or additive materials, and voids. In order to determine the origin of the materials that make up the pottery of this site, the petrographic composition of the additive materials in the pottery body has been compared with soil samples of the surface of the site, gravel fragments scattered around the site, fluvial sediments and gravels adjacent to the site and geological units of the study area. The similarity of the petrographic composition of the above pottery clastic inclusions with the mentioned data proves that these ancient artefacts are local or indigenous. In this study, investigating the sedimentary petrography of Kahnek site potteries, in addition to determining the origin of pottery materials, has been used in the interpretation of manufacturing technology and firing conditions.

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History

  • Receive Date: 07 November 2023
  • Revise Date: 06 December 2023
  • Accept Date: 13 December 2023

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