ARCHAEOMETRIC EVIDENCE ATTESTING PRODUCTION OF INDIGENOUS ARCHAIC POTTERY AT MONTE POLIZZO (WESTERN SICILY)

Recent archaeological excavations on and near Monte Polizzo, western Sicily, a proto-urban indigenous settlement have yet to yield any evidence of in-situ ceramic production (i.e. kiln structures). However, the recovered cultural material provides evidence towards a local Archaic ceramic production center. This paper presents the compositional correspondence between ceramic fabrics and local clay sources. A comprehensive archaeometric investigation of indigenous pottery, mainly composed of matte-painted table ware dated from the 7th to the 4th century B.C., recovered from the Acropolis of Monte Polizzo has allowed the identification of six distinct “Paste Compositional Reference Units” (PCRUs). The six PCRUs were independently identified and confirmed through textural and mineralogical characteristics (petrographic observations) and chemical characterization (XRF analysis). A parallel investigation of clay-sized raw materials from Monte Polizzo’s natural outcrops revealed two geologic formations the Terravecchia and Marnoso-Areacea del Belice (MAB). Experimental ceramic briquettes were also created and petrographically and chemically characterized. A comparison between the indigenous and experimental ceramics revealed that the local potters preferred clays from the Terravecchia Formation. The mineralogical, textural and chemical composition of the Terravecchia Formation’s clay correlated well with the recovered indigenous ceramic artifacts recovered from Monte Polizzo (92%). The remaining 8% were interpreted to be imported from the Sicani Mountains.