Investigating the firing temperature of Late Chalcolithic ceramics from archaeological sites of the Adhaim-Sirwan Basin, Iraqi Kurdistan using FTIR

Abstract

This study investigates the firing temperatures of pottery from the Late Chalcolithic period (mid-late 4th millennium BCE) in the Adhaim-Sirwan Basin, located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This region of northeastern Mesopotamia is rapidly emerging as one of key importance to our understanding of the complex interactions between local communities and people associated with the incoming Uruk Phenomenon during this period. Using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), one of the largest investigations of its kind in southwest Asia, the research analyses pottery samples excavated from three sites—Gird-i Shamlu, Gurga Chiya, and Kani Shaie. This investigation presents archaeometric data relating to the firing temperature, allowing new insights into the ceramic production process. Results reveal the stabilisation of pottery firing temperatures and a predominance of relatively low-temperature firings (largely within 500–600 °C), likely for slow firings which coincide with the appearance of the Uruk Phenomenon in the region. These results contribute to our understanding of 4th millennium craft production in Mesopotamia by suggesting a highly controlled approach and greater mastery of pyrotechnological techniques of the firing process by skilled potting communities, which the author argues suggests the emergence of nascent craft specialisation.