An Insight Into the Scientific Datasets in Archaeological Research Through the Pottery Provenance Case

Approaches In The Archaelogical Research

Traditionally, the study of ancient artifacts was mainly focused on meticulous macroscopic observations by the archaeologists. Conclusions would be derived from their typology, decoration, iconography and chronology, based exclusively on stylistic considerations and aesthetic evaluation of the artifacts as well as their use, role and function. The above could also be complemented in some cases by available historic archive studies. In addition, evaluation of their characteristics would also shed light on the places (e.g. Attics or Corinthian pottery in ancient Greece) and the techniques of production (black-figure), the distribution, the trade routes, the organization and the contacts of the societies they created and exchanged them.

In the late 1950s, the term of Archaeometry was first introduced by Prof. C.F.C. Hawkes to refer to the use of methods and techniques originating from the natural sciences (physics, chemistry, mathematics, geology, geophysics, biology) and their application to archaeology as well as to art objects, in order to provide solutions for specific questions and problems (Harding, 1994). The term today extends to include the computer technologies and their contribution to the study of the Cultural Heritage and is increasingly referred to as Heritage Science, which actually represents a modern and more sophisticated approach in the archaeological research.

Heritage Science can be regarded as the “forensics” in cultural investigations, since it seeks for information in retrospect, trying to answer primary questions like ‘who’, ‘where’, ‘when’ and ‘how’. This is achieved through the amalgamation of several disciplines and the fusion of numerous scientific data that include (though not exclusively):

• •

  Measurements of physicochemical parameters and properties of materials, environmental and biological samplesl;

• •

  Analyses of the composition of materials, environmental and biological samples;

• •

  Study of the ‘structure’ and form of materials, environmental and biological samples;

• •

  Assessment of physicochemical processes in materials, environmental and biological samples;

• •

  Spatial data;

• •

  Statistical data.