ARCHAEOMETRIC INVESTIGATION ON RED SLIP OF URARTIAN POTTERY

Abstract

The primary objective of the present work is to make a comparison between the red glossy slip of Urartian

pottery (commonly known as Urartian red polished ware) and local clays by conducting a variety of

examinations. As a result of these investigations, the authors will suggest the most likely clay sources for

ceramics and the slip that may have been used by the Urartian potters. Four samples from Ayanis Fortress

have been characterised from the chemical, mineralogical, morphological and petrographic points of view.

Scanning electron microscopy, optical microscope, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectrometry,

chemical analysis and colour measurement investigations have been carried out on the ceramic body and

red glossy slip to determine their characteristics and technological features. In addition, three local clays

were characterised by chemical, mineralogical and petrographic analyses. Test pieces made from local raw

material were fired in a traditional updraft mud-brick kiln in order to better understand the paste and red

slip-making processes of Urartu. The results obtained from the different analyses demonstrate significant

similarities between ceramic samples and fired clay test pieces. It may be concluded that it is possible these

local clays were used in production of Urartian red glossy ceramics.