Researchers from Ca' Foscari University of Venice have uncovered insights into ancient pottery forming techniques using X-ray micro-computed tomography (microCT). The study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, reveals how advanced 3D imaging can reconstruct the complex processes behind Middle Bronze Age Cretan ceramics, offering a new methodology for analyzing ancient pottery.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Alignement and orientation of voids. Credit: Ca' Foscari University of Venice The paper, authored by Professors Ilaria Caloi and Federico Bernardini from the Department of Humanities at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, presents the first application of microCT to experimental ceramic vases. These vases were created either solely on the potter's wheel or through a combination of hand-building techniques and the potter's wheel. The research addresses a significant challenge in archaeology: identifying the primary forming techniques of ancient ceramics. Traditional macroscopic analysis often falls short, as the potter's wheel can obscure the surface traces of the initial forming method. The innovative use of microCT, a technology evolved from medical computed tomography, allows for detailed 3D visualization and quantification of pottery components, including lithic particles, voids, and structural joints, without damaging the artifacts. For this study, microCT was applied to replicas of Minoan cups from Phaistos,…