What does this research mean for the field?

Medieval ceramic production in Utrecht between the 12th and 15th centuries CE underwent a gradual typo-technological shift from percussion-wheeled greyware to wheel-thrown, lead-glazed redware, utilizing low-fired, Ca-poor, Fe-rich clays. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the chaîne opératoire of medieval greyware and redware ceramics by integrating elemental and mineralogical analyses with quantitative forming technique assessments.

September 2, 2026Archaeological and Anthropological SciencesOpen Access

Advancing the chaîne opératoire analysis of medieval greyware and redware ceramics: A case study from 12th to 15th centuries CE Utrecht, the Netherlands

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Authors

BBBarbara Borgers JGJohn Gait KBKatalin Bajnok

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Overview

Archaeometric analysis reveals typo-technological shifts in medieval Dutch pottery, highlighting technological continuity alongside the adoption of lead glazing and wheel throwing.

Key Points

To evaluate the chaîne opératoire of medieval greyware and redware ceramics by integrating elemental and mineralogical analyses with quantitative forming technique assessments.
Selected 59 ceramic samples (grey jars and reddish tableware including tripod forms, jugs, bowls, and pans) across three production phases from four workshops, alongside one regional clay sample.
Characterized sample composition and mineralogy using optical microscopy, WD-XRF, XRD, and SEM-EDX.
Applied small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to 17 wasters from the first two production phases and 21 comparative samples to quantitatively evaluate shaping techniques.
Potters consistently selected calcium-poor, iron-rich clays tempered with quartz grains and fired the ceramics at low temperatures below 800 °C.
Percussion-wheeling remained the primary shaping technique during the first and second production phases, accompanied by a progressive transition toward wheel throwing.
Lead-glazed redwares surfaced during the second production phase and expanded heavily in the third phase, featuring transparent coatings with high to very high lead content.

Cite This Study

Borgers et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a98131ec562ede874ec7c0a https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-026-02554-x

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September 2, 2026Archaeological and Anthropological SciencesOpen Access

Advancing the chaîne opératoire analysis of medieval greyware and redware ceramics: A case study from 12th to 15th centuries CE Utrecht, the Netherlands

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

BBBarbara Borgers JGJohn Gait KBKatalin Bajnok

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Archaeometric analysis reveals typo-technological shifts in medieval Dutch pottery, highlighting technological continuity alongside the adoption of lead glazing and wheel throwing.

Key Points

To evaluate the chaîne opératoire of medieval greyware and redware ceramics by integrating elemental and mineralogical analyses with quantitative forming technique assessments.
Selected 59 ceramic samples (grey jars and reddish tableware including tripod forms, jugs, bowls, and pans) across three production phases from four workshops, alongside one regional clay sample.
Characterized sample composition and mineralogy using optical microscopy, WD-XRF, XRD, and SEM-EDX.
Applied small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to 17 wasters from the first two production phases and 21 comparative samples to quantitatively evaluate shaping techniques.
Potters consistently selected calcium-poor, iron-rich clays tempered with quartz grains and fired the ceramics at low temperatures below 800 °C.
Percussion-wheeling remained the primary shaping technique during the first and second production phases, accompanied by a progressive transition toward wheel throwing.
Lead-glazed redwares surfaced during the second production phase and expanded heavily in the third phase, featuring transparent coatings with high to very high lead content.

Cite This Study

Borgers et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a98131ec562ede874ec7c0a https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-026-02554-x

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