Ceramics from prehistoric Non Pa Wai, central Thailand: A preliminary petrographic investigation. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carratoni, Loredana; Meucci, Costantino; Rispoli, Fiorella
• Is Part Of: Archaeological research in Asia. Volume 16(2018)
• Page Start: 116
• Page End: 129
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Non Pa Wai -- Thailand -- Prehistory -- Ceramic -- Archaeometry -- Petrography -- Chemical analysis; Archaeology -- Research -- Asia -- Periodicals; Asia -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; 930.1095
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ara.2018.07.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-2267

Abstract

Abstract: Ceramic samples representative of >500 kgs of diagnostic sherds and mortuary vessels which the Thai-American 'Thailand Archaeometallurgy Project' excavated in 1986 in the Khao Wong Prachan Valley at the pre and protohistoric site of Non Pa Wai (Lopburi Province, Central Thailand) are the subject of this study. Samples were submitted to petrographic, chemical and granulometric analyses for a preliminary investigation of their production technology and raw materials provenance. The statistical analysis of the data highlighted three different sherd-groups each corresponding to a distinct chronological period. Both sherds' chemical composition and petrography evidenced the use of local clays, tempered with sand from different deposits. The data analysed also suggest the possible use of crushed animal bones or bone ash as a fluxing agent in copper smelting processes during the local Iron Age/Protohistoric period.