Skip to main content
Log in

Ceramic technology: how to characterize terra sigillata ware

  • Review
  • Published:
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As part of the Topical Collection on the archaeometric study of ceramics, this paper focuses on terra sigillata ware. The main aims are to provide a review on the state of the art of the studies and to provide a guide to the most suitable analytical techniques. The text is divided into four main parts: (1) a brief archaeological introduction on the ancient production of terra sigillata; (2) a summary of the archaeometric studies carried out to date; (3) a reasoned list of the most suitable techniques for the investigation of the ceramic body and (4) an in-depth discussion on the most effective techniques for the study of the coating. The application of both destructive and non-destructive techniques is critically evaluated as well as the advantages and disadvantages provided by the different instrumentation, in terms of sample preparations and expected results.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Data sharing is not applicable to this review article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.

Notes

  1. To give only a few examples: Hippocrates (Epidemics) in the 5th–4th century BC, Dioscorides (Materia Medica) in the 50–70 AD), Pliny (Naturalis Historia) in 77 AD and Galen (De compositione medicamento rum secundum locos; transl. from Greek) in the second half of the 2nd century AD.

  2. For instance, these earths are mentioned by Avicenna and Ibn al-Baitar at the beginning of the second millennium AD or in the “Gart der Gesundheit” dating back to 1470.

  3. Who stamped the instrumentum domesticum is an intriguing question, often debated. For terra sigillata, the reader is addressed to relevant literature: Pucci (1993, 2001).

  4. The most ancient quote referring to the arretina vasa is that of Isidore of Seville in the 6th–7th century AD (Etymologiae, XX, 4, 5): “Arretina vasa ex Arretio municipio Italiae dicuntur, ubi fiunt; sunt enim rubra”. (Translation: Arretine dishes are named for the Italian city Arretium, where they are made, and they are red)

  5. The correspondence between the Samia vasa mentioned by Pliny and Isidore of Seville and the terra sigillata is generally taken for granted but, in reality, it is just a hypothesis. Isidore of Seville (Etymologiae, XX, 4, 3 and 6): “Fictilia vasa in Samo insula prima inventa traduntur, facta ex creta et indurata igni; unde et samia vasa. Postea inventum et rubricam addere et ex rubra creta fingere (…) Samia vasa quidam putant ab oppido Samo Graeciae habere nomen. Alii dicunt cretam esse Italiae, quae non longe a Roma nascitur, quae samia appellatur. (Translation from Barney et al. (2006): Ceramic dishes are said to have been first invented on the island of Samos, made from white clay and hardened by fire, hence ‘Samian dishes.’ Afterwards it was discovered how to add red earth and to fashion vessels with red clay (…) Some think that Samian dishes got their name from Samos, a town of Greece. Others say that there is a white potter’s earth from Italy, produced not far from Rome, that is called Samian)

  6. The term glanzton corresponds to the English gloss and was “rediscovered” and applied to terra sigillata by Schumann, based on von Petrikovits (1951).

  7. On the Arretine and Samian supremacy see also Pliny (Naturalis Historia XXXV, 160–161): “Maior pars hominum terrenis utitur vasis. Samia etiam nunc in esculentis laudantur. Retinent hanc nobilitatem et Arretium in Italia et calicum tantum Surrentum, Hasta, Pollentia, in Hispania Saguntum, in Asia Pergamum. Habent et Trallis ibi opera sua et in Italia Mutina, quoniam et sic gentes nobilitantur et haec quoque per maria, terras ultro citro portantur, insignibus rotae officinis”. (Translated by Rackham (1952): Among table services Samian pottery is still spoken highly of; this reputation is also retained by Arretium in Italy, and, merely for cups, Surrentum, Hasta, and Pollentia, and by Saguntum in Spain and Pergamum in Asia Minor. Also Tralles in Asia Minor and Mutina in Italy have their respective products, since even this brings nations fame, and their products also, so distinguished are the workshops of the potter’s wheel, are carried to and fro across land and sea.)

  8. Produced, for instance at Ocriculum (present Otricoli), Mevania (present Bevagna), Tibur (present Tivoli) and Cosa (Ansedonia, Grosseto).

  9. An online database is further available at https://www1.rgzm.de/ while basic information on types and distribution is provided by https://potsherd.net/atlas/Class/TS.

  10. CIE is the acronym of the Commission internationale de l’éclairage (International Commission on Illumination).

References

  • Aloupi-Siotis E (2020) Ceramic technology. How to characterise black Fe-based glass-ceramic coatings. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01134-x

  • Appolonia L, Meloni S, Oddone M, Mirti P (1992) Roman terra sigillata from Augusta Praetoria: new results by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Sci Technol Cult Herit 1:45–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Aranda MAG, Compaña JM, León-Reina L (2010) Archaeometric characterization of Terra sigillata hispanica from granada workshops. Boletín de la Sociedad Española de Cerámica y Vidrio 49(2):113–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Argyropoulos V (1995) A characterization of the compositional variations of roman samian pottery manufactured at the Lezoux production centre. Archaeometry 37:271–285. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.1995.tb00743.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baklouti S, Maritan L, Larihdi ON, Casas L, Joron JL, Larabi KS, Moutte J (2014) Provenance and reference groups of African Red Slip ware based on statistical analysis of chemical data and REE. J Archaeol Sci 50:524–538. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2014.12.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baklouti S, Maritan L, LaridhiOuazaa N, Mazzoli C, LarabiKassaa S, Joron J-L, Fouzaï B, CasasDuocastella L, Labayed-Lahdari M (2015) African Terra sigillata from Henchir Es-Srira archaeological site, central Tunisia: archaeological provenance and raw materials based on chemical analysis. Appl Clay Sci 105-106:27–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2014.12.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ballié PJ, Stern WB (1984) Non-destructive surface analysis of Roman terra sigillata: a possible tool in provenance studies? Archaeometry 26:62–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.1984.tb00318.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barney SA, Lewis WJ, Beach JA, Berghof O (2006) The etymologies of Isidore of Seville. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Bémont C, Jacob JP (eds) (1986) La terre sigillée gallo-romaine. Lieux de production du Haut Empire: implantations, produits, relations. In: Documents d’Archéologie Française, 6th edn, Paris, Éd. de la Maison des Sciences de l’Homme

  • Bémont C, Vernhet A (1989) Les potiers de la Graufesenque. Four collectif et organisation de la production dans un village. Courrier du CNRS, Dossier Scientifiques 73(Sept):44–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennington SM (2004) The use of neutron scattering in the study of ceramics. J Mater Sci 39:6757–6779. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JMSC.0000045605.00716.3e

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergamini M (2003) Una produzione firmata da Marcus Perennius Clemens da Scoppieto. Rei Cretariae Romanae Fautores Acta 38:133–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Bes (2015) Once upon a time in the East. The chronological and geographical distribution of terra sigillata and red slip ware in the Roman East. In: Roman and late antique mediterranean pottery, 6th edn. Archaeo Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Bimson M (1956) The technique of Greek black and terra sigillata red. Antiqu J 36:200–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonifay M (2004) Etudes sur la céramique romaine tardive d’Afrique. British archaeological Reports. International Series, 1301, Oxford: Archaeopress

  • Brulet R, Vilvorder F, Delage R (2010) La céramique romaine en Gaule du Nord. In: Dictionnaire des céramiques. La vaisselle à large diffusion, Turnhout

  • Brun C (2001) Etude pétrographique et analysechimique de céramiquessigilléesafricaines de type D. Unpublished DESS thesis in Archeo-Science. Université de Bourgogne, France, Centre de Science de la Terre

    Google Scholar 

  • Brun C (2004) Détermination d’origine par fluorescence X de quelques exemplaires de l’ensemble de céramiques du IVe s. ap. J.-C. découverts dans une citerne du capitole d’Uthina (Tunisie). In: Ben Hassen H, Maurin L (eds) Oudhna (Uthina)-Colonie de vétérans de la XIIIe légion: Histoire, urbanisme, fouilles et mise en valeur des monuments. Mémoires 13, Ausonius éditions edn. Bordeaux-Paris-Tunis, pp 236–244

  • Bruni S (eds.) (1995) Ateius 1995. Ateius e le sue fabbriche. La produzione di sigillata ad Arezzo, Pisa e nella Gallia Meridionale, Atti del convegno, Pisa, Annali Della Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa 25

  • Carandini A (1981) Ceramica africana – Introduzione. In: Carandini A, Anselmino L, Pavolini C, Sagui L, Tortortella S, Tortortella E (Eds.), Atlante delle forme ceramiche. I. Ceramica fine romana nel bacino mediterraneo (medio e tardo impero), Roma, 1981 (EAA, suppl. I), pp. 15–18

  • Carandini A, Saguì L (1981) Ceramica africana. Terra sigillata: Vasi I. Vasi non decorati o decorati a stampo. Produzione C. In: Carandini A, Anselmino L, Pavolini C, Sagui L, Tortortella S, Tortortella E (Eds.), Atlante delle forme ceramiche. I. Ceramica fine romana nel bacino mediterraneo (medio e tardo impero), Roma, 1981 (EAA, suppl. I), pp. 58–78

  • Castillo R, Mir JM, Pérez-Arantegui J, Tejada J, Alabart JR (1991) Study of the provenance of Terra sigillata by Mossbauer spectroscopy. Fresenius J Anal Chem 341:611–614. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00322272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuomo di Caprio N (1992) Analisi mineralogiche di terra sigillata italica ritrovata a Morgantina (Sicilia). Rei Cretariae Romanae Fautores Acta 31(32):105–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Dannenfeldt KH (1984) The introduction of a new sixteenth-century drug: terra Silesiaca. Med Hist 28(2):174–188. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025727300035717

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dasari KB, Acharya R, Ray DK, Das NL (2017) Application of PIXE for the determination of transition elements in the grouping study of archaeological clay potteries. X-Ray Spectrom 46:180–185. https://doi.org/10.1002/xrs.2744

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daszkiewicz M, Baranowski M (2011) The potential of macroscopic identification of laboratory-defined provenance groups. The case of so-called Pergamenian Sigillata from Delos, Greece. Études et Travaux 24:42–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Daszkiewicz M, Schneider G (2011) Laboratory analysis of so-called Pergamenian Sigillata from Delos, Greece. Études et Travaux 24:78–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Degryse P, Poblome J, Bounegru O, Viaene W (2001) Archaeometry of Eastern Sigillata C from Pergamon: a reconnaissance study. Rei Cretariae Romanae Fautorum Acta 37:115–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Dejoie C, Relaix S, Sciau P (2005) Les sigillées des ateliers de la Graufesenque et de Montans. Etude comparative des pâtes et engobes. In: Nieto X, Roca Roumens M, Vernhet A, Sciau P (eds) Difusiò Terra sigillata Sud Gàllica Al Nord D’Hispania. Editions MAC, Barcelona, pp 9–18

    Google Scholar 

  • de Lapérouse J-F (2020) Ceramic musealisation: how ceramics are conserved and the implications for research. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01139-6

  • Desbat A, Genin M, Lasfargues J (1996) Les productions des ateliers de potiers antiques de Lyon. 1ère partie: les ateliers précoces. Gallia 53:1–249

    Google Scholar 

  • Dragendorff H (1895) Terra Sigillata. Ein Betrag zur Geschichte der Griechischen und Römischen Keramik. Bonner Jahrbücher 96-97:18–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Eramo G (2020) Ceramic technology. How to recognize clay processing. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01132-z

  • Ettlinger E, Hedinger B, Hoffmann B, Kenrick PM, Pucci G, Roth-Rubi K, Schneider G, von Schnurbein S, Wells CM, Zabehlicky-Scheffenegge S (1990) Conspectus formarum terrae sigillatae italico modo confectae. Habelt, Bonn, p 210

    Google Scholar 

  • Freestone IC (1982) Applications and potential of electron probe micro-analysis in technological and provenance investigations of ancient ceramics. Archaeometry 24:99–116. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.1982.tb00993.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gabucci A (2017) Attraverso le Alpi e lungo il Po : importazione e distribuzione di sigillate galliche nella Cisalpina. Publications de l’École française de Rome, Roma. https://doi.org/10.4000/books.efr.3241

  • Galli A, Sibilia E, Martini M (2020) Ceramic chronology by luminescence dating. How and when it is possible to date ceramic artefacts. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01140-z

  • Gancedo JR, Gracia M, Marco JF, Palacios JM (1988) Mössbauer spectroscopy and SEM study of Campanian and Terra sigillata pottery from Spain. Hyperfine Interactions 41:791–794. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02400509

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gliozzo E (2020a) Ceramics investigation. Research questions and sampling criteria. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01128-9

  • Gliozzo E (2020b) Ceramic technology. How to reconstruct the firing process. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01133-y

  • Gliozzo E, Foresi L, Memmi I (2003) Lo studio archeometrico delle produzioni ceramiche. In: Pucci G, Mascione C (eds) Manifattura ceramica etrusco-romana a Chiusi. Il complesso produttivo di Marcianella. Edipuglia, Bari, pp 275–314

    Google Scholar 

  • Gliozzo E, Kirkman IW, Pantos E, Memmi Turbanti I (2004) Black gloss pottery: production sites and technology in Northern Etruria, part II: gloss technology. Archaeometry 46:227–246. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2004.00154.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gliozzo E, Santagostino Barbone A, D’Acapito F, Turchiano M, Turbanti Memmi I, Volpe G (2010) The sectilia panels of Faragola (Ascoli Satriano, southern Italy): a multi-analytical study of the green, marbled (green and yellow), blue and blackish glass slabs. Archaeometry 52:389–415. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2009.00493.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gliozzo E, Santagostino Barbone A, D’Acapito F (2013) Waste glass, vessels and window-panes from Thamusida (Morocco): grouping natron-based blue-green and colourless Roman glasses. Archaeometry 55:609–639. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2012.00696.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein J, Newbury DE, Joy DC, Lyman CE, Echlin P, Lifshin E, Sawyer L, Michael JR (2003) Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis, 3rd edn. Springer

  • Gomez B, Rautman ML, Neff H, Glascock GD (1996) Clays used in the manufacture of Cypriot red slip pottery and related ceramics. Report of the Department of Antiquities, Cyprus, pp 69–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Grifa C, Germinario C, De Bonis A, Langella A, Mercurio M, Izzo F, Smiljanic D, Guarino V, Di Mauro S, Soricelli G (2019) Comparing ceramic technologies: the production of Terra Sigillata in Puteoli and in the Bay of Naples. J Archaeol Sci Rep 23:291–303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.10.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gualtieri S (2020) Ceramic raw materials. How to establish the technological suitability of a raw material. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01135-w

  • Guarino V, De Bonis A, Grifa C, Langella A, Morra V, Pedron L (2011) Archaeometric study on Terra sigillata from Cales (Italy). Periodico di Mineralogia 80(3):455–470. https://doi.org/10.2451/2011PM0030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hart FA, Storey JMV, Adams SJ, Symonds RP, Walsh JN (1987) An analytical study, using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry, of samian and colour-coated wares from the Roman town at Colchester together with related continental samian wares. J Archaeol Sci 14:577–598. https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-4403(87)90077-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes JW (1972) Late Roman pottery, London

  • Hayes JW (1980) A supplement to Late Roman pottery. The British School at Rome, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes JW (2008) Roman pottery. Fine ware imports: typology. The Athenian Agora no. 32. Princeton, The American School of Classical Studies at Athens

  • Heimann RB, Maggetti M (2014) Ancient and historical ceramics. Materials, technology, art and culinary traditions. In: Schweizerbart Science Publisher, Stuttgart

  • Hein A, Kilikoglou V (2020) Ceramic raw materials. How to recognize them and locate the supply basins. Chemistry. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01129-8

  • Henderson J, Ma H, Cui J, Ma R, Xiao H (2020) Isotopic investigations of Chinese ceramics. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01138-7

  • Ionescu C, Hoeck V (2020) Ceramic technology. How to investigate surface finishing. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01144-9

  • Jornet A (1980) Composition de la ceramique romaine d’Augusta Raurica (Augst). Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen Bulletin 60:271–285

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenrick PH (2002) Conspectus formarum. Principles of the conspectus and guide to the reader. In: Conspectus formarum terrae sigillatae italico modo confectae. Mat. Röm.-German, Keramik 10, Bonn, pp 44–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Klug HP, Alexander LE (1974) X-ray diffraction procedures for polycrystalline and amorphous materials. John Wiley & Sons, New York, p 960

    Google Scholar 

  • Küpfer T, Maggetti M (1978) Die Terra Sigillata von La Péniche (Vidy, Lausanne). Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen Bulletin 58:189–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladstätter S, Sauer R (2002) Late Roman C Ware in Ephesos. The significance of imported and local production by petrological and mineralogical methods. In: Kilikoglou V, Hein A, Maniatis Y (eds) Modern trends in scientific studies on ancient ceramics. Papers presented at the Fifth European Meeting on Ancient Ceramics, Athens 1999. British Archaeological Reports International Series 1011. Oxford, Archaeopress, pp 323–334

    Google Scholar 

  • Leon Y, Lofrumento C, Zoppi A, Carles R, Castellucci EM, Sciau P (2010) Micro-Raman investigation of terra sigillata slips: a comparative study of central Italian and southern Gaul productions. J Raman Spectrosc 41:1550–1555. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrs.2678

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leon Y, Sciau P, Bouquillon A, Pichon L, de Parseval P (2012) PIXE (particle induced X-ray emission): a non-destructive analysis method adapted to the thin decorative coatings of antique ceramics. Nucl Inst Methods Phys Res B 291:45–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2012.09.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leon Y, Sciau P, Passelac M, Sanchez C, Sablayrolles R, Goudeau P, Tamura N (2015) Evolution of terra sigillata technology from Italy to Gaul through a multi-technique approach. J Anal At Spectrom 30:658–665. https://doi.org/10.1039/c4ja00367e

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lofrumento C, Zoppi A, Castellucci EM (2004) Micro Raman spectroscopy of ancient ceramics: a study of French sigillata wares. J Raman Spectrosc 35:650–655. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrs.1209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • López AJ, Nicolás G, Mateo MP, Piñón V, Tobar MJ, Ramil A (2005) Compositional analysis of Hispanic Terra sigillata by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. SpectrochimicaActa Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy 60(7-8):1149–1154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sab.2005.05.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macgregor A (2013) Medicinal Terra sigillata: a historical, geographical and typological review. In: Duffin CJ, Moody RTJ, Gardner-Thorpe C (eds) A history of geology and medicine, Special Publications, vol 375. Geological Society of London, London, pp 113–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackensen M (1993) Die spätantiken Sigillata-und Lampentöpfereien von El Mabrine. Studien zur nordafrikanischen Feinkeramik des 4.bis 7. Jahrhunderts, München

  • Mackensen M (1998) New evidence for Central Tunisian red slip ware with stamped decoration (ARS style D). J Roman Archaeol 11:355–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackensen M, Schneider G (2002) Production centres of African red slip ware (3rd-7th c.) in northern and central Tunisia: archaeological provenance and reference groups based on chemical analyses. J Roman Archaeol 15:121–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackensen M, Schneider G (2006) Production centres of African Red Slip ware (2nd-3rd c.) in northern and central Tunisia: archaeological provenance and reference groups based on chemical analyses. J Roman Archaeol 19:163–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Maggetti M, Küpfer T (1978) Composition of the Terra sigillata from La Péniche (Vidy/Lausanne, Switzerland). Archaeometry 20:183–188. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.1978.tb00229.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maggetti M, Ferreira Marques MF, Schubiger PA (1980) Neutron activation analysis of the terra sigillata from La Peniche. Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen Bull 60:1–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Maggetti M, Galetti G (1993) Naturwissenschaftliche Untersuchungen an der Terra sigillata von Schwabegg. Forschungen zur Geschichte der Keramik in Schwaben, Arbeitshefte des Bayerischen Landesamtes für Denkmalpflege 58:101–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Maggetti M (1995) Technical aspects of the terra sigillata production: the pottery centre of Schwabegg (Ausburg, Germany, 2/3 D C. AD). In: Vincenzini P. (Ed) The Ceramics Cultural Heritage, TechnaSrl, pp. 221-330

  • Maritan L (2020) Ceramic abandonment. How to recognise post-depositional transformations. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01141-y

  • Maritan L, Secco M, Mazzoli C, Mantovani V, Bonetto J (2013) The decorated Padan Terra sigillata from the site of Retratto, Adria (north-eastern Italy): provenance and production technology. Appl Clay Sci 82:62–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2013.05.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin A (2005) Terra sigillata and related wares. In: Bonfante L, Nagy H (eds) The collection of Antiquities of the American Academy in Rome. Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome, Supplementary Volume XI, pp 295–310

    Google Scholar 

  • Mascione C (1992) Terra sigillata Italica. In: Pucci G (ed) La fornace di Umbricio Cordo. L’officina di un ceramista romano e il territorio di Torrita di Siena nell’antichità, Firenze, pp 100–101

    Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie-Clark J, Magnussen J (2018) The analysis of Italian Sigillata potters’ stamps using dual energy computed tomography (DECT) and X-ray imaging. J Archaeol Sci Rep 18:420–429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.01.041

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Medri M 1992. Terra Sigillata tardo italica decorata, Roma

  • Menchelli S, Capelli C, Del Rio A, Pasquinucci M, Picon M, Thiron-Merle V (2001) Ateliers de céramiques sigillées de l’Etrurie septentrionale maritime: données archéologiques et archéométriques. Rei Cretariae Romanae Favtores Acta 37:89–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Mezquíriz Irujo MÁ (1985) Terra sigillata ispanica. In: Atlante delle forme ceramiche II, 17th edn. Trabajos de arqueología navarra, Pamplona, pp 419–563

    Google Scholar 

  • Mirti P, Zelano V, Aruga R, Ferrara E, Appolonia L (1990) Roman pottery from Augusta Praetoria (Aosta, Italy): a provenance study. Archaeometry 32:163–175. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.1990.tb00463.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mirti P, Aruga R, Appolonia L, Casoli A, Oddone M (1994) On the role of major, minor and trace elements in provenancing ceramic material. A case study: Roman terra sigillata. Fresenius J. Anal. Chem 348:396–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00323142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mirti P, Appolonia L, Casoli A (1999) Technological features of Roman terra sigillata from Gallic and Italian centres of production. J Archaeol Sci 26:1427–1435. https://doi.org/10.1006/jasc.1999.0435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mommsen H, Japp S (2009) Neutronenaktivierungsanalyse von 161 Keramikproben aus Pergamon und Fundorten der Region. Istanbuler Mitteilungen 59:269–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Montana G (2020) Ceramic raw materials. How to recognize them and locate the supply basins. Mineralogy, Petrography. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01130-1

  • Oxé A, Comfort H (1968) A catalogue of the signatures, shapes and chronology of Italian Sigillata. (Antiquitas, 3; Abhandlungenzur Vor- und Friihgeschichte, zur Klassischen und Provinzial-Romischen Archaologie, 4), Bonn

  • Oxé A, Comfort HC, Kenrick PM (2000) Corpus Vasorum Arretinorum. Antiquitas 41. Bonn: Rudolf Habelt

  • Papageorgiou I (2020) Ceramic investigation. How to perform statistical analyses. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01142-x

  • Pedroni L (1995) Riflessioni sulla nascita dell’aretina. Ostraka 4:195–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedroni L, Soricelli G (1996) Terra sigillata da Cales. Archeologia Classica 48:169–191

    Google Scholar 

  • Photos-Jones E, Christidis GE, Piochi M, Keane C, Mormone A, Balassone G, Perdikatsis V, Leanord A (2016) Testing Greco-Roman medicinal minerals: the case of solfataric alum. J Archaeol Sci Rep 10(1):82–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2016.08.042

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Picon M (1973) Introduction a l’étude technique des céramiques sigillées de Lezoux, 2nd edn. Centre de recherche sur les techniques gallo-romaines, Dijon

    Google Scholar 

  • Picon M (1974) Recherches techniques sur les céramiques de Westerndorf et Pfaffenhofen. Bayerische Vorgeschichtsblatter 39:185–191

    Google Scholar 

  • Picon M (2002) Les modes de cuisson, les pâtes et les vernis de la Graufesenque: une mise au point. Archéologie et Histoire Romaine 7:139–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Picon M, Vertet H (1970) La composition des premières sigillées de Lezoux et le problème des céramiques calcaires. Revue Archéologique de l’Est et du Centre-est 21:207–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Picon M, Vichy M (1974) Recherches sur la composition des céramiques de Lyon. Revue Archéologique de l’Est et du Centre-est 25:37–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Picon M, Vichy M, Meille E (1971) Composition of the Lezoux, Lyon and Arezzo samian ware. Archaeometry 13:191–208. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.1971.tb00042.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Picon M, Carre C, Cordoliani ML, Vichy M, Hernandez JA, Mignard JL (1975) Composition of the La Graufesenque, Banassac and Montans Terra sigillata. Archaeometry 17:191–199. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.1975.tb00133.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poblome J, Degryse P, Cottica D, Fırat N (2001) A new early byzantine production centre in western Asia Minor. A petrographical and geochemical study of Red Slip Ware from Hierapolis, Perge and Sagalassos. Rei Cretariae Romanae Fautorum Acta 37:119–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Poblome J, Talloen P, Brulet R, Waelkens M (eds) (2004) Early Italian Sigillata. The chronological framework and trade patterns. Proceedings of the First International ROCT-Congress (Leuven, May 7 and 8, 1999). Peeters, Leuven

    Google Scholar 

  • Polak M (2000) South Gaulish terra sigillata with potters’ stamps from Vechten. Rei Cretariae Romanae Fautorum Acta. Supplementum 9:428

    Google Scholar 

  • Pradell T, Molera J (2020) Ceramic technology. How to characterise ceramic glazes. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01136-9

  • Pucci G (1985) Terra sigillata italica. In: Carandini A, Anselmino L, Pavolini C, Sagui L, Tortortella S, Tortortella E (Eds.), Atlante delle forme ceramiche. I. Ceramica fine romana nel bacino mediterraneo (medio e tardo impero), Roma, 1981 (EAA, suppl. I), pp. 365–380

  • Pucci G (1993) I bolli sulla terra sigillata: fra epigrafia e storia economica. In: Harris, W.V. (Ed.) The inscribed economy. Production and distribution in the Roman empire in the light of instrumentum domesticum. J Roman Archaeol, Suppl. 6, pp 73–79

  • Pucci G (2001) Inscribed instrumentum and the ancient economy. In: Bodel J (ed) Epigraphic evidence. Ancient history from inscriptions. Rutledge, London, pp 137–152

    Google Scholar 

  • Rackham H (1952) Translation of “Pliny. Natural History, Volume IX: Books 33–35”. In: Loeb Classical Library 394. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Rautman ML (1995) Neutron activity analysis of Cypriot and related ceramics at the University of Missouri. In: Meyza H, Mlynarczyk J (eds) Hellenistic and Roman pottery in the Eastern Mediterranean – advances in scientific studies. Acts of the 2 Nieborów pottery workshop (Nieborów, 18–20 December 1993). Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, pp 331–349

    Google Scholar 

  • Rautman ML, Gomez B, Neff H, Glascock MD (1993) Neutron activation analysis of Late Roman ceramics from Kalavasos-Kopetra and the environs of the Vasilikos Valley. Report of the Department of Antiquities, Cyprus, pp 233–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Rautman ML, Neff H, Glascock MD (2003) Appendix 3. Compositional study of ceramics from Kopetra. In: Rautman M (ed) A cypriot village of Late Antiquity, Kalavasos-Kopetra in the Vasilikos Valley. J Roman Archaeol, Supplementary Series, vol 52, pp 267–271

    Google Scholar 

  • Rella S, De Benedetto GE, Marchetta I, Malitesta C (2016) Provenancing of VI–VII century terra sigillata coming from Matera burial area by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. J Cult Herit 17:194–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2015.04.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rijken AJ, Favejee JCL (1941) Over het ontstaan van het Terra sigillata-laagje. Chemisch Weekblad 38:262–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts P (1997) Mass-production of Roman finewares. In: Freestone IC, Gaimster D (Eds) Freestone IC. British Museum Press, Pottery in the making. World ceramic traditions. British Museum Press, London, pp 188–193

  • Santagostino Barbone A, Gliozzo E, Turchiano M, D’Acapito F, Memmi Turbanti I, Volpe G (2008) The sectilia panels of Faragola (Ascoli Satriano, southern Italy): a multi-analytical study of the red, orange and yellow glass slabs. Archaeometry 50:451–473. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2007.00341.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schindler-Kaudelka E, Schneider G, Zabehlicky-Scheffenegger S (1997) Les Sigillées padanes et tardo-padanes: nouvelles recherches en laboratoire. In: Rivet L (ed) Proceedings of the Conference on Mans (Mans, 8–11 May 1997). Société Française d’Étude de la Céramique Antique en Gaule, Marseille, pp 481–494

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider G (1995) Roman red and black slipped pottery from NE-Syria and Jordan. First results of chemical analysis. In: Meyza H, Mlynarczyk J (eds) Hellenistic and Roman pottery in the Eastern Mediterranean – advances in scientific studies. Acts of the 2nd Nieborów pottery workshop (Nieborów, 18–20 December 1993). Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, pp 415–422

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider G (1996a) Chemische und mineralogische Untersuchungen von Keramik der hellenistischen bis frühislamischen Zeit in Nordost-Syrien. In: Bartl K, Hauser SR (eds) Continuity and change in Norther Mesopotamia from the hellenistic to the early islamic period, Berliner BeiträgezumVorderen Orient, vol 17. Dietrich Reimer Verlag, Berlin, pp 127–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider G (1996b) Chemical grouping of Roman Terra sigillata finds from Turkey, Jordan and Syria. In: Demirci I, Özer AM, Summers GD (eds) Archaeometry 94 – Proceedings of the 29th International Symposium on Archaeometry(Ankara 9–14 May 1994). Tübitak, Ankara, pp 189–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider G, Hoffmann B (1976) Bestimmung der Herkunft antiker Keramik (Terra sigillata) mit Hilfe von Rontgenfluoreszenzanalysen. Fortschrittsberichte der Deutschen Keramischen Gesellschaft 53:417–422

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider G, Daszkiewicz M (2006) Chemical analysis of Italian Sigillata from Italy and from the Northern Provinces. In: Malfitana D, Poblome J, Lund J (eds) Old pottery in a new century. Innovating perspectives on Roman Pottery Studies. Atti del del Convegno Internazionale di Studi (Catania, 22–24 April 2004), Catania, pp 537–543

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider G, Japp S (2009) Röntgenfluoreszenzanalysen von 115 Keramikproben aus Pergamon, Çandarlı, Elaia und Atarneus (Türkei). Istanbuler Mitteilungen 59:287–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuring JM (1988) Terra sigillata africana from the san Sisto Vecchio in Rome. Bulletin Antieke Beschaving 63:1–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Sciau P (2016) Chapter two - transmission electron microscopy: emerging investigations for cultural heritage materials. In: Hawkes PW (ed) Advances in Imaging Electron Physics vol. 198. Elsevier, pp 43–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.aiep.2016.09.002

  • Sciau P, Werwerft M, Vernhet A, Bemont C (1992) Recherche sur les Températures de cuisson et la Nature des Engobes des Céramiques Sigillees de la Graufesenque. Revue d’Archéometrie 16:89–95. https://doi.org/10.3406/arsci.1992.894

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sciau P, Vezian A (2002) La composition minérale des pâtes des sigillées de la Graufesenque; un bon moyen de déterminer la température de cuisson des sigillées. In: Genin M, Vernhet A (eds) Céramiques Graufesenque Autres Prodiuctions Hommages À Bettina Hoffmann. Editions Monique Mergoil, Montagnac, pp 181–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Sciau P, Goudeau P, Tamura N, Dooryhee E (2006a) Micro scanning X-ray diffraction study of Gallo-Roman Terra sigillata ceramics. Appl Phys A 83:219–224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-006-3512-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sciau P, Relaix S, Roucau C, Kihn Y (2006b) Microstructural and microchemical characterization of Roman period Terra Sigillate slips from archeological sites in southern France. J Am Ceram Soc 89(3):1053–1058. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1551-2916.2005.00827.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sciau P, Salles P, Roucau C, Mehta A, Benassayag G (2009) Applications of focused ion beam for preparation of specimens of ancient ceramic for electron microscopy and synchrotron X-ray studies. Micron 40:597–604. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micron.2009.02.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sciau P, Leon Y, Brouca-Cabarrecq C (2011) Productions de la Graufesenque : étude archéométriques. In: Gruat P, Malige G, Vidal M (eds) Carte Archéologique Gaule 12 Aveyron. Maison des sciences de l’homme, pp 278–285

  • Serrano-Arnáez B, Compana JM, Fernández-García MI (2016) Chemical and mineralogical characterization of Roman Sigillata moulds from Andújar (Jaén, Spain). J Archaeol Sci Rep 7:60–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2016.03.044

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sforzini C (1990) Vasai “aretini” in area falisca: l’officina di Vasanello. In: La civiltà dei Falisci. Atti del XV Convegno di Studi Etruschi ed Italici (Civita Castellana-Forte Sangallo, May 1987). Firenze, pp 251–272

  • Slane KW, Michael Elam J, Glascock MD, Neff H (1993) Compositional analysis (NAA) of Eastern Sigillata A and other wares from Tel Anafa. Am J Archaeol 97:325–326. https://doi.org/10.2307/505661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slane KW, Michael Elam J, Glascock MD, Neff H (1994) Compositional analysis of Eastern Sigillata A and related wares from Tel Anafa (Israel). J Archaeol Sci 21(1):51–64. https://doi.org/10.1006/jasc.1994.1007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Šmit Ž (2013) Chapter 2.3. Ion–beam analysis methods. In: Janssens K (ed) Modern methods for analysing archaeological and historical glass, I. Wiley, pp 155–183. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118314234.ch7

  • Soricelli G (2004) La produzione di terra sigillata in Campania. In: Poblome J, Talloen P, Brulet R, Waelkens M (eds) Early Italian Sigillata. The chronological framework and trade patterns. Proceedings of the First International ROCT-Congress (Leuven, May 7 and 8, 1999), Leuven: Peeters, pp 299–307

  • Spałek K, Spielvogel I (2019) The use of medicinal clay from Silesia “Terra sigillata Silesiaca”, Central Europe - a new chance for natural medicine? Biomed J Sci Tech Res 20(3):15057–15061. https://doi.org/10.26717/BJSTR.2019.20.003457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sternini M (2019) The production centres and river network of Italian Terra sigillata between the Arno and Tiber valleys: a geographical point of view. J Roman Archaeol 32:485–494. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1047759419000254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tamilarasu S, Velraj G, Ray DK, Acharya R (2016) Chemical analysis of archaeological clay potteries by PIGE and PIXE methods using proton beams from tandem accelerator for provenance study. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 310:363–370. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4842-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor RJ, Robinson VJ (1996a) Neutron activation analysis of Roman African red slip ware kilns. Archaeometry 38(2):231–243. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.1996.tb00772.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor RJ, Robinson VJ (1996b) Provenance studies of Roman african red slip ware using neutron activation analysis. Archaeometry 38(2):245–255. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.1996.tb00773.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thér R (2020) Ceramic technology. How to reconstruct and describe pottery-forming practices. Archaeol Anthropol Sci [this topical collection]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01131-0

  • Tite MS (1969) Determination of the firing temperature of ancient ceramics by measurement of thermal expansion: a reassessment. Archaeometry 11:132–143. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.1969.tb00636.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tite MS, Bimson M, Freestone IC (1982a) An examination of the high gloss surface finishes on Greek Attic and Roman samian wares. Archaeometry 24:117–126. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.1982.tb00994.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tite MS, Freestone I, Meeks ND, Bimson M (1982b) The use of scanning electron microscopy in the technological examination of ancient ceramics. In: Olin JS, Franklin AD (eds) Archaeological ceramics. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, pp 109–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Tite M, Herringer SN, Shortland A, Matin M, Pradell T, Alcock SE (2018) Production technology of Nabataean painted pottery compared with that of Roman Terra sigillata. J Archaeol Sci Rep 21:1073–1078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2016.09.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tortorella S (1998) La sigillata africana in Italia nel VI e nel VII secolo d.C.: problemi di cronologia e distribuzione. Ceramica, Firenze, Italia, pp 41–69

  • Trentelman K, Bouchard M, Ganio M, Namowicz C, Patterson CS, Walton M (2010) The examination of works of art using in situ XRF line and area scans. X-Ray Spectrom 39:159–166. https://doi.org/10.1002/xrs.1242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Oyen A (2016) How things make history. The Roman Empire and its Terra sigillata pottery. Amsterdam University Press

  • Vendier L, Sciau P, Dooryhee E (2002) Étude par diffraction des rayons X des vernis rouges des sigillées du sud de la Gaule. Les ateliers de la Graufesenque. J Phys 12:189–196. https://doi.org/10.1051/jp4:20020226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Von Petrikovits H (1951) Review of “Hermann Salmang, Die physikalischen und chemischen Grundlagen der Keramik”. Germania 29(3–4):277–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Walton MS, Doehne E, Trentelman K, Chiari G, Maish J, Buxbaum A (2009) Characterisation of coral red slips on greek attic pottery. Archaeometry 51(3):383–396. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2008.00413.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang T, Sanchez C, Groenen J, Sciau P (2016a) Raman spectroscopy analysis of terra sigillata: the yellow pigment of marbled sigillata. J Raman Spectrosc 47:1522–1527. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrs.4906

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang T, Zhu TQ, Feng ZY, Fayard B, Pouyet E, Cotte M, De Nolf W, Salomé M, Sciau P (2016b) Synchrotron radiation-based multi-analytical approach for studying underglaze color: the microstructure of Chinese Qinghua blue decors (Ming dynasty). Anal Chim Acta 928:20–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2016.04.053

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webster P (1996) Roman samian pottery in britain. practical handbooks in archaeology, 13th edn. Council for British Archaeology, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • West M, Ellis AT, Potts PJ, Streli C, Vanhoof C, Wegrzynek D, Wobrauschek P (2010) Atomic spectrometry update-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. J Anal At Spectrom 25:1503–1545. https://doi.org/10.1039/c005501h

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Widemann F, Picon M, Asaro F, Michel HV, Perlman I (1975) A Lyon branch of the pottery-making firm of Ateius of Arezzo. Archaeometry 17:45–59. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.1975.tb00114.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young RA (1995) The rietveld method. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Young RJ, Moore MV (2005) Dual-beam (FIB-SEM) systems. In: Giannuzzi LA, Stevie FA (eds) Introduction to focused ion beams. Instrumentation, Theory, Techniques and Practice. Boston, MA: Springer US, pp. 247–68. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-23313-X_12

  • Zanco A, Galetti G (2001) Terra sigillata imitations from Nyon (SW Switzerland): one of Fronto’s workshops? J Cult Herit 2(2):109–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1296-2074(01)01118-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my sincere gratitude and deep appreciation to my esteemed Professor Giuseppe Pucci for his valuable and constructive suggestions (EG). We would like to thank Alain Vernhet and Maurice Picon who showed us the site of La Graufesenque and the terrra sigillata ware (PS and CS). Helen Carruthers is kindly acknowledged for English language revision (EG,PC,CS).

Funding

Archimede Labex Award number: IA-ANR-11-LABX-0032-01.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

Not applicable.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elisabetta Gliozzo.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Ceramics: Research questions and answers

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sciau, P., Sanchez, C. & Gliozzo, E. Ceramic technology: how to characterize terra sigillata ware. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 12, 211 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01137-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01137-8

Keywords

Navigation