Archaeometric Characterization of Common and Cooking Wares from the Late Antique City of Valentia (Valencia, Spain)

Abstract

This contribution presents the results of the archaeometric characterization of Late Roman pottery from the city of Valencia (Spain). The ceramic samples, including common wares, amphorae, and cooking wares, have been characterized using WD-X-ray fluorescence for the chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction for the mineralogical study, and optical microscopy by thin-section analysis for the mineralogical and petrographic characterization. The results show a wide range of fabrics with cooking wares of imported origin. The most important result is, however, the identification of a possible regional ware that resembles African cooking wares but that could have been locally or regionally produced, as well as the possible production in the area of some common wares. These results provide a better insight into the production and distribution of Late Roman ceramics in the area and contribute to a better understanding of trade dynamics in the Western Mediterranean for imported wares.