Archaeometrical investigations of Impasto pottery from Terramara of Gorzano (Modena, Italy)

Bronze Age Impasto pottery from Gorzano Terramara was analysed to identify raw materials and manufacturing techniques. Impasto ceramic paste is a heterogeneous mixture of fine sediments and tempers. Ceramics and sediments surrounding the site were characterised through petrographic analysis, chemical analysis of major, minor and trace elements and X-ray powder diffraction. The results show that the fine fraction of the pottery is low in carbonates, while most sediments are calcareous and show different clay mineral/carbonate ratios. Only three sediment samples of the Niviano unit are chemically and mineralogically similar to the fine fraction of the pottery. However the higher concentration of Al2O3 in the pottery suggests the use of a raw material richer in clay minerals and hence the possibility that sediment from the Niviano unit were partially levigated before use.