Abstract
Coarse and painted fine wares from the Late Antique residential complex of Posta Crusta (Lucera, Foggia, Italy) have been here investigated. The ceramic characterisation was our main concern; even so, the provenance and the production technology have been further investigated, focusing on both ceramic bodies and coatings. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and a set of bulk chemical analyses (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, instrumental neutron activation and X-ray fluorescence) were used for the characterisation of 44 samples. Chemical and mineralogical data here obtained were compared with results previously achieved on San Giusto local production, in order to distinguish production areas and identify possible exchanges. As for coarse wares, the characterisation of Posta Crusta pottery shed new light for the reconstruction of the production/distribution framework of this part of northern Apulia. The following trends can be identified: (1) pots from Posta Crusta and San Giusto settlement that can be referred to a single production site, likely located in the nearby territory of one of this two sites; (2) pots from San Giusto kiln exported to Posta Crusta; (3) pots of unknown origin but compatible with the northern Apulian area. Furthermore, it was possible to verify that all Posta Crusta ceramics used the alluvial deposits widely outcropping in northern Apulia as received. As for painted fine wares, Posta Crusta samples enucleated a distinct and homogenous group, including six samples from San Giusto. This result is highly encouraging as it provides the clear evidence of a production group, although it is not possible to refer it to a precise locality. The marine deposits outcropping in northern Apulia can have been surely exploited for raw materials supply. Coatings texture seems to suggest two different ways of application: immersion and painting.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arthur P, De Mitri C, Lapadula E (2007) Nuovi appunti sulla circolazione della ceramica nella Puglia meridionale tra tarda antichità ed altomedioevo, in III Incontro di Studio Cer.am.Is. sulle ceramiche tardoantiche ed altomedievali (Venezia il 24–25 giugno 2004). Venezia, pp. 331–351
Balenzano F, Dell’Anna L, Di Pierro M (1977) Ricerche mineralogiche, chimiche e granulometriche su Argille subappennine della Daunia (Puglia). Geol Appl Idrogeol 12:33–55
Bonardi G, D’Argenio B, Di Nocera S, Marsella E, Pappone G, Perrone V, Pescatore TS, Senatore MR, Sgrosso I, Ciaranfi N, Pieri P, Ricchetti G, Brancaccio L, Cinque A, Di Girolamo P, Morra V, Ortolani F, Torre M, Turco E, Amore FO, Ciampo G, de Capoa P, Taddei E (1988) Carta geologica dell’Appennino meridionale. Selca, Firenze
Caggianelli A, De Fino M, La Volpe L, Piccarreta G (1990) Mineral chemistry of Monte Vulture volcanics: petrological implications. Mineral Petrol 41:215–227
De Boe G (1975) Villa romana in località Posta Crusta. Rapporto provvisorio sulle campagne di scavo 1972 e 1973, NSc. 24:516–530
De Fino M, La Volpe L, Piccarretta G (1982) Magma evolution at Mount Vulture (Southern Italy). Bull Volcanol 45:115–126
De Fino M, La Volpe L, Peccerillo A, Piccarreta G, Poli G (1986) Petrogenesis of Monte Vulture volcano (Italy): inferences from mineral chemistry, major and trace element data. Contrib Mineralog Petrol 92:135–145
Di Giuseppe H, Capelli C (2005) Produzioni urbane e rurali di ceramica comune dipinta nella Lucania tardoantica e altomedievale. In: Gurt JM, Esparraguera I, Buxeda J, Garrigòs I, Cau Ontiveros MA (eds) LRCW I. Late Roman Coarse Wares, Cooking Wares and Amphorae in the Mediterranean: Archaeology and Archaeometry, BAR International Series, Oxford 1340:395–411
Gliozzo E, Fortina C, Turbanti Memmi I, Turchiano M, Volpe G (2005) Cooking and painted ware from San Giusto (Lucera, Foggia): the production cycle, from the supply of raw materials to the commercialisation of products. Archaeometry 47:13–29
Jacobacci A, Malatesta A, Martelli G, Stampanoni G (1967) Note illustrative della Carta Geologica d’Italia—Foglio 163. La Litograf, Lucera, p 48 pp, Lucera
La Volpe L, Patella D, Rapisardi L, Tramacere A (1984) The evolution of the Monte Vulture volcano (Southern Italy): inferences from volcanological, geological and deep dipole electrical soundings data. J Volcanol Geoth Res 22:147–162
Leone D (2000) Le ceramiche tardo antiche della fattoria di Posta Crusta. In: Volpe G (ed) Ordona X. Ricerche archeologiche a Herdonia (1993–1998). Edipuglia, Bari, pp 387–432
Leone D, Turchiano M (2002) Aspetti della circolazione delle merci nell’Apulia tardoantica, tra importazioni e produzioni locali. In: XIV Convegno Internazionale di Studi ‘L’Africa Romana’ (Sassari 7–10 dicembre 2000), Roma, pp. 857–890
Melluso L (1996) The Mt. Vulture volcanic complex (Italy): evidence for distinct parental magmas and for residual melts with melilite. Mineral Petrol 56:225–250
Volpe G (1996) Contadini, pastori e mercanti nell’Apulia tardo antica, Bari
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gliozzo, E., Leone, D., Origlia, F. et al. Archaeometric characterisation of coarse and painted fine ware from Posta Crusta (Foggia, Italy): technology and provenance. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 2, 175–189 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-010-0038-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-010-0038-8