R1: Characterization and description of minerals (Joint Session with The Gemmological Society of Japan)

[R1-P-04] Mineralogical features of pottery from the Early Bronze Age site at northwestern Armenia

*Masanori KUROSAWA¹, Masao Semmoto², Toru Shibata³ (1. Univ. Tsukuba, 2. Ancient Orient Museum, 3. Archaeol. Stone Res. Inst.)

Keywords:

Pottery,Armenia,Bronze Age,Fablic analysis,Mokhrablur

Pottery sherds from the Early Bronze Age Mokhra Blur site in northwestern Armenia were mineralogically analyzed with an optical microscope, powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS) to examine the technical characteristic of the Kura-Araxes culture in Armenia and provenance of clay raw materials. Microscopic observation of thin sections revealed a large amount of rock fragments of rounded andesitic rocks, volcanic glass, and mineral grains of quartz, plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and amphibole in a clay matrix. In addition, one pottery sherd was observed containing trace amounts of rock fragments of metamorphic rock, limestone, and granitic rocks. The amount of rock fragments and mineral grains varied greatly depending on the sample. Whole-rock major oxide compositions of the sherds were almost identical in composition to the acidic tuff of Mount Aragats near the site. Some pottery samples also contained the remains of freshwater diatoms. The firing temperature was estimated to be around 800-850 degree Celsius based on the partial melting texture of the clay matrix and X-ray diffraction peaks of clay minerals. However, the partial melting texture occurred in limited areas of the clay matrices, thus the soaking time at high temperatures was considered to be short.