Testing technological practices: Neutron activation analysis of neolithic ceramics from Valencia, Spain

Sarah B. McClure, Joan Bernabeu, Oreto García, Emili Aura, Lluís Molina, Christophe Descantes, Robert J. Speakman, Michael D. Glascock

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) of prehistoric pottery, daub, and modern clay samples from Valencia, Spain, we tested expectations on changes in raw material use with socio-economic shifts during the Neolithic (ca. 5600-2800 BC). Elemental analysis identified three distinctive clay source groups used by Neolithic potters. Contrary to expectations, a shift in raw material use was identified between the Early and Middle Neolithic despite general similarities in technological practices. In the Late Neolithic, pottery production became more specialized, but potters used the same range of clay sources documented earlier. This study illustrates the utility of INAA for testing hypotheses of prehistoric craft production.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)671-680
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Archaeological Science
Volume33
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2006

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Archaeology
  • Archaeology

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