ArchaeometryPub Date : 2026-03-02Epub Date: 2025-08-12DOI: 10.1111/arcm.70037
X. Huang, J. Chong, Z. Sun, L. Wang, T. Yang
{"title":"Identification of Potassium-Rich Faience From Spring and Autumn Period Cemeteries in Shaan'xi Province, China","authors":"X. Huang, J. Chong, Z. Sun, L. Wang, T. Yang","doi":"10.1111/arcm.70037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.70037","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This article presents the results of scientific analyses of 12 potassium-rich faience beads dating to the Spring & Autumn period from the <i>Liu Jiawa</i> cemetery and <i>Liang Daicun</i> cemetery in Shaan'xi Province by conducting X-ray fluorescence and SEM-EDS analyses. The chemical compositions showed that these samples were all potassium-rich silicate products. The chemical compositions on the surface were different from that in the interparticle glass, which was probably due to the weathering on the surface. Moreover, this analysis identified that this potassium-rich producing technology has a certain inheritance from the Western Zhou Dynasty (11<sup>th</sup>–8<sup>th</sup> century <span>bc</span>) to the Spring and Autumn Period (8<sup>th</sup>–5<sup>th</sup> century <span>bc</span>) and the fixed technology formulation and production procedures of making this kind of product had already formed in Rui State (a small kingdom appointed by the royalty in 11<sup>th</sup> century <span>bc</span> and demised in 7<sup>th</sup> century <span>bc</span>).</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8254,"journal":{"name":"Archaeometry","volume":"68 2","pages":"184-192"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147565115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Last Zenith of Fine White Porcelain in Northern China—Scientific Analysis of White Porcelain Excavated From the Huozhou Kiln Site, Shanxi Province","authors":"Jigang Jiao, Yan Liu, Yunjian Mo, Wenjun Mu, Yujie Wu, Jianfeng Cui, Yu Ding","doi":"10.1111/arcm.70038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.70038","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The Huozhou Kiln, a significant production site of fine white porcelain in northern China during the Jin–Yuan periods, was analyzed using multiple analytical techniques on samples unearthed during the 2022 excavation. Our findings demonstrate that the porcelain bodies were primarily produced using high-temperature fired, high-alumina clay with minimum impurities, with potassium serving as the principal fluxing oxide. In terms of glaze formulation, the Huozhou Kiln primarily adopted alkali–calcium and calcium–alkali glazes composed of low-iron, low-titanium feldspar-bearing materials, with the addition of plant ash. Feldspathic rocks likely contributed K<sub>2</sub>O and Na<sub>2</sub>O, whereas plant ash provided P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>, CaO, and MgO. Thermal expansion and microscopic analyses indicated that the firing temperature exceeded 1300°C, confirming the high level of skill in controlling the firing process. With the depletion of high-quality white clay and the cessation of fine white porcelain production at the Ding Kiln due to warfare, the Huozhou Kiln succeeded in inheriting and advancing Ding Kiln techniques. It became the sole kiln producing refined white porcelain during the Yuan Dynasty, marking the last zenith of northern China's fine white porcelain tradition. This study emphasizes the continuity and innovation in porcelain technology from the Ding to the Huozhou Kiln.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8254,"journal":{"name":"Archaeometry","volume":"68 2","pages":"212-223"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147565665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ArchaeometryPub Date : 2026-03-02Epub Date: 2025-10-10DOI: 10.1111/arcm.70043
Xiaotong Wu, Yunlu Zhang, Li Tao, Xiang Ji, Minghui Chen, Ningyuan Wang, Huiyuan Gan, Zhaobing Zhong, Ye Zhao, Fan Yang, Xingxiang Zhang
{"title":"The Origin and Circulation of Cinnabar in Neolithic Age of China: Evidence From Sulfur and Mercury Isotope Analysis","authors":"Xiaotong Wu, Yunlu Zhang, Li Tao, Xiang Ji, Minghui Chen, Ningyuan Wang, Huiyuan Gan, Zhaobing Zhong, Ye Zhao, Fan Yang, Xingxiang Zhang","doi":"10.1111/arcm.70043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.70043","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cinnabar, valued for its blood-like hue endowed with spiritual and religious symbolism, constituted one of the most prized pigments in ancient China. This material was extensively applied in lacquerware production during the Liangzhu culture (3300–2300 <span>bce</span>). Our analytical approach employed EA-IRMS and MC-ICP-MS to respectively characterize sulfur and mercury isotopes in Liangzhu cinnabar artifacts and cinnabar ores. Results revealed that combined sulfur–mercury isotopic signatures enable effective discrimination of cinnabar provenances across Chinese regions. Analytical data confirm that δ<sup>34</sup>S, δ<sup>202</sup>Hg, and Δ<sup>199</sup>Hg values in most Liangzhu cinnabars align with ore signatures from the Youjiang and Xiangqian Hg deposits (Southwest China), demonstrating the establishment of cross-regional cinnabar exchange networks during the Neolithic period.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8254,"journal":{"name":"Archaeometry","volume":"68 2","pages":"248-260"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147564795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ArchaeometryPub Date : 2026-03-02Epub Date: 2025-08-12DOI: 10.1111/arcm.70037
X. Huang, J. Chong, Z. Sun, L. Wang, T. Yang
{"title":"Identification of Potassium-Rich Faience From Spring and Autumn Period Cemeteries in Shaan'xi Province, China","authors":"X. Huang, J. Chong, Z. Sun, L. Wang, T. Yang","doi":"10.1111/arcm.70037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.70037","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This article presents the results of scientific analyses of 12 potassium-rich faience beads dating to the Spring & Autumn period from the <i>Liu Jiawa</i> cemetery and <i>Liang Daicun</i> cemetery in Shaan'xi Province by conducting X-ray fluorescence and SEM-EDS analyses. The chemical compositions showed that these samples were all potassium-rich silicate products. The chemical compositions on the surface were different from that in the interparticle glass, which was probably due to the weathering on the surface. Moreover, this analysis identified that this potassium-rich producing technology has a certain inheritance from the Western Zhou Dynasty (11<sup>th</sup>–8<sup>th</sup> century <span>bc</span>) to the Spring and Autumn Period (8<sup>th</sup>–5<sup>th</sup> century <span>bc</span>) and the fixed technology formulation and production procedures of making this kind of product had already formed in Rui State (a small kingdom appointed by the royalty in 11<sup>th</sup> century <span>bc</span> and demised in 7<sup>th</sup> century <span>bc</span>).</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8254,"journal":{"name":"Archaeometry","volume":"68 2","pages":"184-192"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147565116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ArchaeometryPub Date : 2026-03-02Epub Date: 2025-08-12DOI: 10.1111/arcm.70024
Dariusz Manasterski, Katarzyna Januszek, Angelina Rosiak, Aleksandra Cetwińska, Joanna Kałużna-Czaplińska
{"title":"The Oldest Traces of Alcoholic Beverages in the Border Zone of the North and East European Plains","authors":"Dariusz Manasterski, Katarzyna Januszek, Angelina Rosiak, Aleksandra Cetwińska, Joanna Kałużna-Czaplińska","doi":"10.1111/arcm.70024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.70024","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Analysis of organic compounds preserved on pottery from the Bell Beaker community and the initial phase of the Trzciniec Cultural Sphere in the border zone of the Eastern and North European Plains was prompted by traces of alcoholic beverages found in contextually and formally analogous discoveries of more westerly provenance. Gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry enabled the calculation of fatty acid ratios to distinguish plant and animal foods and the detection of food-specific biomarkers. Findings indicate that at least nine vessels once held fermented alcohol beverages resembling beer or more complex fermented mixtures, such as Nordic grog. These findings represent the earliest chemical traces of fermented alcohol beverages in this region, dating to the second half of the third millennium <span>bc</span>. Additionally, a sample from an Early Bronze Age context suggests the continuation of alcohol-related practices into the Trzciniec Cultural Sphere.</p>","PeriodicalId":8254,"journal":{"name":"Archaeometry","volume":"68 2","pages":"153-172"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/arcm.70024","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147565121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ArchaeometryPub Date : 2026-03-02Epub Date: 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1111/arcm.70044
Maria Verde, Alberto De Bonis, Claudia Di Benedetto, Diego Di Martire, Ersilia Fiore, Francesco Izzo, Renata Picone, Leopoldo Repola, Lia Romano, Vincenzo Morra
{"title":"Arianna's Palette: A Diagnostic Study of the Painting Walls of the Domus of Arianna in Pompeii","authors":"Maria Verde, Alberto De Bonis, Claudia Di Benedetto, Diego Di Martire, Ersilia Fiore, Francesco Izzo, Renata Picone, Leopoldo Repola, Lia Romano, Vincenzo Morra","doi":"10.1111/arcm.70044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.70044","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The House of Arianna, also known as the House of Colored Capitals, represents, with its 1700 m<sup>2</sup> of floor space, one of the most majestic examples of a residence within the Pompeii archaeological site. The research developed within the project “Cultural Heritage Active Innovation for Sustainable Society—CHANGES” reports the outcomes of the archaeometric study of polychrome wall paintings that decorate Room Number 6 of the <i>Domus</i> of Arianna. To achieve this goal, noninvasive on-site techniques were employed, along with three-dimensional digitization procedures for mapping diagnostic analyses on numerical models of the painting walls and the geometric survey of spaces. The results show that different colors were obtained by using pure, natural, and synthetic pigments including calcite, red and yellow ochre, red lead, cinnabar, green earth, Egyptian blue, and carbon black. These pigments were also combined to obtain specific shades, such as for green and pink shades. Lastly, signals of incipient alteration have been highlighted by spectroscopic analyses Raman and FTIR.</p>","PeriodicalId":8254,"journal":{"name":"Archaeometry","volume":"68 2","pages":"261-273"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/arcm.70044","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147566483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ArchaeometryPub Date : 2026-03-02Epub Date: 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1111/arcm.70040
V. K. Mahesh, M. P. Krishnakumar, K. M. Sreedhar, K. M. Sreekanth, G. Sivasubramanian
{"title":"Crafting Brilliance: The Artistry and Legacy of Adakkaputhur Intermetallic γ-Bronze Mirrors (Cu41Sn11)","authors":"V. K. Mahesh, M. P. Krishnakumar, K. M. Sreedhar, K. M. Sreekanth, G. Sivasubramanian","doi":"10.1111/arcm.70040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.70040","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study explores the metallurgical techniques behind the Adakkaputhur intermetallic γ-bronze mirror (Cu<sub>41</sub>Sn<sub>11</sub>) from Kerala, India, a significant artefact crafted using a modified lost wax casting method. XRD, ICP-MS, metallurgical microscopy, XRF, SEM, and AFM analyses confirm the uniform γ-bronze phase and precise metallurgical control, with a surface roughness of 0.62 nm amplifying its optical properties. The use of slurry embedded thermal gradient quenching and a thermodynamically isolated furnace highlights the advanced precision craftsmanship. This research emphasizes the rejuvenation of the traditional bronze mirror (<i>Vālkkaṇāti</i>) archetype, documenting its cultural heritage, archaeological significance, and exploring its potential for modern technological innovations culminating in resilient societies.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8254,"journal":{"name":"Archaeometry","volume":"68 2","pages":"236-247"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147562490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Last Zenith of Fine White Porcelain in Northern China—Scientific Analysis of White Porcelain Excavated From the Huozhou Kiln Site, Shanxi Province","authors":"Jigang Jiao, Yan Liu, Yunjian Mo, Wenjun Mu, Yujie Wu, Jianfeng Cui, Yu Ding","doi":"10.1111/arcm.70038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.70038","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The Huozhou Kiln, a significant production site of fine white porcelain in northern China during the Jin–Yuan periods, was analyzed using multiple analytical techniques on samples unearthed during the 2022 excavation. Our findings demonstrate that the porcelain bodies were primarily produced using high-temperature fired, high-alumina clay with minimum impurities, with potassium serving as the principal fluxing oxide. In terms of glaze formulation, the Huozhou Kiln primarily adopted alkali–calcium and calcium–alkali glazes composed of low-iron, low-titanium feldspar-bearing materials, with the addition of plant ash. Feldspathic rocks likely contributed K<sub>2</sub>O and Na<sub>2</sub>O, whereas plant ash provided P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>, CaO, and MgO. Thermal expansion and microscopic analyses indicated that the firing temperature exceeded 1300°C, confirming the high level of skill in controlling the firing process. With the depletion of high-quality white clay and the cessation of fine white porcelain production at the Ding Kiln due to warfare, the Huozhou Kiln succeeded in inheriting and advancing Ding Kiln techniques. It became the sole kiln producing refined white porcelain during the Yuan Dynasty, marking the last zenith of northern China's fine white porcelain tradition. This study emphasizes the continuity and innovation in porcelain technology from the Ding to the Huozhou Kiln.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8254,"journal":{"name":"Archaeometry","volume":"68 2","pages":"212-223"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147565768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ArchaeometryPub Date : 2026-03-02Epub Date: 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1111/arcm.70050
Sławomir Wadyl, Jakub Karczewski, Ewelina Miśta-Jakubowska, Jakub Karasiński, Klaudia Tetfejer
{"title":"Tin–Lead Sewn Tokens From 13th-Century Gdańsk: Assessing Local and Non-Local Production Through Archaeometric Analysis","authors":"Sławomir Wadyl, Jakub Karczewski, Ewelina Miśta-Jakubowska, Jakub Karasiński, Klaudia Tetfejer","doi":"10.1111/arcm.70050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.70050","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study presents the results of an interdisciplinary investigation of 98 tin–lead sewn tokens from 13th-century Gdańsk, the largest assemblage of its kind in Central Europe. Combining archaeological context, typology, SEM-EDS and lead isotope analysis, the research explores provenance, production and function. Seven iconographic types were identified. Alloy compositions vary by type, indicating variation by type, reflecting batch-related trends and routine variability. Lead isotope ratio data (MC-ICP-MS) indicate British lead sources; import of finished tokens is more likely, though local casting from imported lead cannot be excluded. The tokens' spatial concentration and diversity suggest integration into local economic practices. Their function remains uncertain, but tokens were integrated into Gdańsk's early urban economy.</p>","PeriodicalId":8254,"journal":{"name":"Archaeometry","volume":"68 2","pages":"274-285"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/arcm.70050","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147566472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ArchaeometryPub Date : 2026-03-02Epub Date: 2025-10-18DOI: 10.1111/arcm.70049
E. Pons-Branchu, E. Bernot, E. Bertrand, M. Branchu, I. Caffy, A. Dapoigny, J. P. Dumoulin, S. Gaillot
{"title":"U/Th Dating of Secondary Carbonate Deposits in Underground Galleries of Fourvière Hill (Lyon, France) Reveals a Water Supply System in Operation From the Roman Period to the Middle Ages","authors":"E. Pons-Branchu, E. Bernot, E. Bertrand, M. Branchu, I. Caffy, A. Dapoigny, J. P. Dumoulin, S. Gaillot","doi":"10.1111/arcm.70049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.70049","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The recent discovery of a water draining structure known as the Antiquaille galleries in Fourvière hill, in the center of Lyon, France (ancient Lugdunum), sheds light on the water drainage system built by the former inhabitants of this area for their water needs. We studied secondary carbonate deposits found in two galleries of this system: a massive flowstone and thin white layers of CaCO<sub>3</sub> found interbedded in a collapsed gallery. The study of these natural archives provides absolute ages (uranium–thorium and <sup>14</sup>C dating) for the period in which water flowed within the galleries. These data unambiguously date the system's installation and period of operation over several centuries. We hereby confirm that these galleries are indeed Roman. Dating showed that deposition of the concretions began in the year 150 ± 80 <span>AD</span>, which is coherent with the dating of a wooden floor of the structure (calibrated <sup>14</sup>C age between the years 127 and 233 <span>AD</span>). We also provide new information showing that one gallery was in use (water in the gallery) for almost seven centuries, and on the chronology of the filling of another, which took place over almost three centuries. Lastly, a large charcoal found trapped at the top of the flowstone attested that the system was visited, at least once (calibrated age: between the years 673 and 877 <span>ad</span>), at the end of the deposition period of the flowstone (end of the period with water). This is an interesting historical fact because little is known about these water supply systems, which were forgotten for centuries because Fourvière hill was abandoned by its inhabitants after the Roman period and only urbanized again since the 16th–17th centuries (first slightly and then more intensively from the 19th century).</p>","PeriodicalId":8254,"journal":{"name":"Archaeometry","volume":"68 2","pages":"286-295"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/arcm.70049","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147566881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}