Basics of recreation of ancient ceramics production technology

Abstract

The paper investigates possibility of ancient ceramics technology recreation based on materials of archaeological excavations and experimental simulation and describes results of the research. The structure and properties of ceramic samples found during archaeological excavations of the neolithic age and clay raw materials from different deposits were studied. The fragments under study were shown to consist mainly of light-melting clays, possessing polimineral composition with additives of fire clay, sand, loose sedimentary rock, and in some cases wool and vegetation. Clays under study are characterized by variability of chemical and mineral composition, by their combining it is possible to obtain optimal moulding compositions to produce ceramic products of artistic and architectural-structural purpose. Overview of scientific and technical information in archaeology and the obtained experimental results enable to reveal compositions and peculiarities of ancient technology of ceramics production and technical decoration application. Peculiar features of experimental simulation of the ancient ceramics technology considering chemical and mineral composition of clay raw materials are described.