Archaeometric data from the Via dei Sepolcri ceramic workshop in Pompeii (Southern Italy).

Abstract The present article provides chemical and mineralogical data obtained during an archaeometric characterization of 40 samples (33 pottery sherds, 5 clay samples, 1 sand sample and 1 red earth pigment) collected in the Via dei Sepolcri ceramic workshop in Pompeii, Italy. The workshop was still active during the 79 CE eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, and the archaeometric data obtained in our investigation reveal distinct differences between pottery and geological raw materials belonging to an early 'Phase 1′ production (from the beginning of the 1st century CE to the 62 CE earthquake) and a subsequent 'Phase 2′ production (from the 62 CE earthquake to the 79 CE eruption). These data inform the discussions and interpretations presented in the article entitled, “The Via dei Sepolcri ceramic workshop in Pompeii: a snapshot of Roman ceramics crafting tradition and trade preserved by the 79 CE eruption of Mt. Vesuvius” and edited by Grifa et al. [1] .