Abstract
This chapter discusses the critical role played by ceramics in the production and processing of metals across the world. In addition, it details some of the most fruitful avenues for the exploration of these technical ceramics through visual, microscopic and chemical and chemical analyses. When adequately studied, metallurgical ceramics offer data not only on specific metallurgical reactions but also on technological choices and knowledge transfer, the changing understanding of different materials and their properties, the optimisation of resources for specific technical needs, and the existence of different traditions that may respond to specific cultural backgrounds as much as to technological schools and traditions.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bayley, J., & Rehren, Th. (2007). Towards a functional and typological classification of crucibles. In: S. LaNiece, D. Hook, & P. Craddock (Eds.), Metals and Mines—Studies in Archaeometallurgy (pp. 46–55). London: Archetype.
Freestone, I. C. (1989). Refractory materials and their procurement. In: A. Hauptmann, E. Pernicka, & G. A. Wagner (Eds.), Old World archaeometallurgy. Proceedings of the International Symposium, Heidelberg 1987, (pp. 155–62), Der Anschnitt Beiheft 7. Bochum: Deutsches Bergbau-Museum.
Freestone, I. C., & Tite, M. S. (1986). Refractories in the ancient and preindustrial world. In: W. D. Kingery (Ed.), Ceramics and Civilization 3: High-technology ceramics: past, present and future. The nature of innovation and change in ceramic technology (pp. 35–63). Westerville: The American Ceramic Society.
Kearns, T., Martinón-Torres, M., & Rehren, Th. (2010). Metal to mould: alloy identification in experimental casting moulds using XRF. Historical Metallurgy, 44(1), 48–58.
Martinón-Torres, M., & Rehren, Th. (2009). Post-medieval crucible production and distribution: A study of materials and materialities. Archaeometry, 51(1), 49–74.
Rehren, Th. (2003). Crucibles as reaction vessels in ancient metallurgy. In: P. Craddock & J. Lang (Eds.), Mining and Metal Production through the Ages, (pp. 207–215 and 147–149). London: British Museum.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Martinón-Torres, M., Rehren, T. (2014). Technical Ceramics. In: Roberts, B., Thornton, C. (eds) Archaeometallurgy in Global Perspective. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9017-3_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9017-3_6
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-3357-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-9017-3
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawSocial Sciences (R0)