1 Dept. of Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 2 Dept. of Mineral Resources Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Greece 3 Dept. of Classics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 1 Dept. of Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 2 Dept. of Mineral Resources Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Greece 3 Dept. of Classics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ Correlation of Physical Properties for Aeginetan Ware with Compositional and Chemical Data from the Clay Source Deposit Correlation of Physical Properties for Aeginetan Ware with Compositional and Chemical Data from the Clay Source Deposit Shriner, C 1, Douglas, B 1, Elswick, E 1, Brophy, J 1, Christidis, G 2, Hasaki, E 3, and Murray, H 1

Aeginetan Ware was distributed in the 2nd Millennium BC (ca BC) in large numbers throughout the Aegean Complex. Archaeologists consider Kolonna, the large fortified site on the east coast of Aegina, Greece, the production center for the Ware. Aeginetan Ware was distributed in the 2nd Millennium BC (ca BC) in large numbers throughout the Aegean Complex. Archaeologists consider Kolonna, the large fortified site on the east coast of Aegina, Greece, the production center for the Ware. Archaeological Problem

● Aeginetan Ware was produced in two fabrics: Aeginetan Ware (1) a fine to medium coarse, buff yellow to red firing clay for table wares and storage vessels

2) a medium coarse to coarse red-brown to gray-brown firing clay for structural wares. 2) a medium coarse to coarse red-brown to gray-brown firing clay for structural wares. Aeginetan Ware

● In a pivotal 150 year period ( BC) coarse Aeginetan Ware production began to be more visible and abruptly dominated at the beginning of the Middle Helladic (MH) ( BC). ● The rapid predominance of coarse ware over fine ware is considered by archaeologists a significant ceramic production change with cultural implications. ● In a pivotal 150 year period ( BC) coarse Aeginetan Ware production began to be more visible and abruptly dominated at the beginning of the Middle Helladic (MH) ( BC). ● The rapid predominance of coarse ware over fine ware is considered by archaeologists a significant ceramic production change with cultural implications.

● The source clays for this important and long-lived Greek Bronze Age ceramic, Aeginetan Ware, have been provenanced using a comparative analytical approach (Shriner et al. 2003, 2005). ● Our integrated approach requires the comparison of quantitatively provenanced samples of Aeginetan Ware with the source clays. ● Samples of EMPA provenanced Aeginetan Ware from Asine, a MH coastal site on the Argolic Gulf, Greece, were analyzed using multiple analytical techniques to determine the degree of vitrification. ● The source clays for this important and long-lived Greek Bronze Age ceramic, Aeginetan Ware, have been provenanced using a comparative analytical approach (Shriner et al. 2003, 2005). ● Our integrated approach requires the comparison of quantitatively provenanced samples of Aeginetan Ware with the source clays. ● Samples of EMPA provenanced Aeginetan Ware from Asine, a MH coastal site on the Argolic Gulf, Greece, were analyzed using multiple analytical techniques to determine the degree of vitrification. Methodology

Asine 5231 (Plain)

Asine 5409 (Red Slipped)

Asine 1237 (Kitchenware)

● Asine sample set appears to substantiate that both fine and coarse varieties of Aeginetan Ware were derived from our proposed volcanoclastic coastal plain deposits. ● Low-fired coarse ware is the technological innovation. Vitrification doesn’t seem to be the reason for lower firing range. Firing condition is still unknown. With its known mineralogical composition, it will be possible to develop a R&D project for this archaeological clay deposit. ● Asine sample set appears to substantiate that both fine and coarse varieties of Aeginetan Ware were derived from our proposed volcanoclastic coastal plain deposits. ● Low-fired coarse ware is the technological innovation. Vitrification doesn’t seem to be the reason for lower firing range. Firing condition is still unknown. With its known mineralogical composition, it will be possible to develop a R&D project for this archaeological clay deposit. Results of Previous Study

Heimann et al. (1980) showed different phases in oxidized and reduced firing of a calcareous illitic clay Strength vs Vitrification

Modulus of Rupture (MOR) Study Reduced Firing Kiln Modulus of Rupture (MOR) Study Reduced Firing Kiln

Modulus of Rupture (MOR) Study Oxidized Firing Oven Oxidized Firing Oven

Modulus of Rupture (MOR) Study Universal Testing Machine and 3-Point Loading Jig

MOR – Experimental Firing of Aeginetan Clay Deposit Aeginetan Clay Deposit

MOR – Aeginetan Sherd Material Experimental Range - Oxidized Green 800 º C

Use of sherd material for MOR strength tests provides a useful diagnostic tool for distinguishing sherd types. The strength range (5-30 MPa) appears to be comparable for both the clay source and the Asine samples. Maximum strength is associated with high temperature phases produced during firing. Surface flaws in the experimental samples initiated fractures which appear to have limited the strength of the samples. Use of sherd material for MOR strength tests provides a useful diagnostic tool for distinguishing sherd types. The strength range (5-30 MPa) appears to be comparable for both the clay source and the Asine samples. Maximum strength is associated with high temperature phases produced during firing. Surface flaws in the experimental samples initiated fractures which appear to have limited the strength of the samples. Modulus of Rupture (MOR) Results

● Vitrification is assumed to be an indication of ceramic strength and durability. Is any clay characteristic other than vitrification developed? ● Could reduction firing and strategies that optimize the natural fluxing potential of the raw material achieve the properties of strength and durability? ● What chemical and mineralogical characteristics of this archaeological clay deposit impart strength to Aeginetan- sourced Ware? ● Vitrification is assumed to be an indication of ceramic strength and durability. Is any clay characteristic other than vitrification developed? ● Could reduction firing and strategies that optimize the natural fluxing potential of the raw material achieve the properties of strength and durability? ● What chemical and mineralogical characteristics of this archaeological clay deposit impart strength to Aeginetan- sourced Ware? Research Questions

The National Endowment for the Humanities The Cotton Foundation (UK) Indiana Academy of Science Schrader Archaeological Endowment Fund (IU) The Institute of Aegean Prehistory (INSTAP) The Department of Geological Sciences, Indiana University Ruth Droppo, Visual Consultant, Indiana University Bill Carty and Hyojin Lee, School of Ceramic Engineering And Material Science, NYSCC at Alfred University Anna Sliva, Geoarchaeology Intern, Indiana University The National Endowment for the Humanities The Cotton Foundation (UK) Indiana Academy of Science Schrader Archaeological Endowment Fund (IU) The Institute of Aegean Prehistory (INSTAP) The Department of Geological Sciences, Indiana University Ruth Droppo, Visual Consultant, Indiana University Bill Carty and Hyojin Lee, School of Ceramic Engineering And Material Science, NYSCC at Alfred University Anna Sliva, Geoarchaeology Intern, Indiana University Acknowledgements