Archaeometric research on ancient ceramics
Our research on ancient ceramics started in 1974. The working group deals with the whole "chaîne opératoire", from the initial clay to the final product. We study all kinds of materials such as raw clays, semi-finished artefacts, waste products, kiln remnants and used products of all ages unearthened by the archaeologists. Our main interest lies in the determination of the composition of the material, in order to establish its place of origin (reference groups), and the technology employed.
For such a doing we interprete data obtained by microscopic (optical and electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy), irradiation (X-ray diffraction and HT-X-ray diffraction), technological (Hg-pressure porosimetry) and chemical analyses (X-ray fluorescence, electron microprobe, isotopic methods).
Actual projects are focused on Swiss and European ceramics. For the past research projects, consult the publication list.