Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of Roman pottery from an archaeological site near Mošnje (Slovenia)

Abstract Roman pottery excavated from the remains of a villa rustica near Mosnje (Slovenia) was analyzed in terms of its mineralogical and basic geochemical characteristics, to elucidate the technologies of manufacture. Selected samples were examined with optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, SEM–EDS and ICP-OES. Results show that the studied pottery samples can be divided into two main groups based on the nature and size of grains; calcite-tempered pottery and pottery containing predominant fine quartz grains. This mineralogical distinction also reflects differences in production technology.