Physico-chemical and mineralogical study of ceramic findings from Mary City – Turkmenistan

Abstract Eight findings of ancient ceramics (IX–X century) from Merv (currently Mary City – Turkmenistan) were sampled and studied from a scientific point of view, in order to classify them on the basis of their materic and technological content. They have been collected in a place 70 km far from the Iranian border, on the ancient Silk Route and hence, in connection with Turkey, Afghanistan and Indo Valley. Different physico-chemical and analytical methodologies have been used for a detailed study of the mineralogical composition and the texture of the ceramic body, the material employed for coatings (slips, glazes and enamels) and decorations (chromophores and pigments). Optical (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM–EDS or WDS) measurements, carried out on thin and cross-sections, allowed an evaluation of the state of conservation of the findings, together with the presence of neo-formation phases (i.e. phosphates). These ceramics were characterized on the basis of the employed raw materials and the production technology, verifying and ascertaining differences and analogies. Finally, we have evaluated whether an exhaustive scientific description and characterization of these findings can be useful for proposing a historical contextualization.