What question did this study set out to answer?

To characterize the manufacturing technology, raw material origins, and organizational shifts in stucco architectural decoration at Ctesiphon across the Sasanian and Early Islamic periods.

September 17, 2026Archaeological and Anthropological SciencesOpen Access

Behind the facades of Ctesiphon: an archaeometric study of stucco architectural decoration from the Sasanian and Early Islamic periods

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Authors

ASAtefeh Shekofteh JLJean‐François de Lapérouse MSMichael Seymour

Discussion

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Overview

Archaeometric analysis reveals standardized molding in Sasanian stuccos versus variable Early Islamic techniques at Ctesiphon, indicating a shift toward less centralized production over time.

Key Points

To characterize the manufacturing technology, raw material origins, and organizational shifts in stucco architectural decoration at Ctesiphon across the Sasanian and Early Islamic periods.
Conducted an integrated archaeometric investigation of sixteen stucco objects (N=16) curated at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Analyzed structural and compositional features using optical microscopy, petrographic thin-section analysis, micro–X-ray diffraction (µXRD), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS).
Sasanian stuccos were predominantly manufactured using prefabricated molds with minimal hand-finishing, whereas Early Islamic artifacts displayed greater technological variation suggestive of decentralized workshop production.
Chemical analyses identified locally sourced evaporitic raw materials across all samples, showing no direct correlation to specific decorative motifs.
Detected phase markers—including bassanite, anhydrite, amorphous aluminosilicates, and combustion residues—demonstrated heterogeneous firing conditions typical of traditional gypsum kilns.

Cite This Study

Shekofteh et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aabb7a65f706d05830e6d0d https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-026-02556-9

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September 17, 2026Archaeological and Anthropological SciencesOpen Access

Behind the facades of Ctesiphon: an archaeometric study of stucco architectural decoration from the Sasanian and Early Islamic periods

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

ASAtefeh Shekofteh JLJean‐François de Lapérouse MSMichael Seymour

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Archaeometric analysis reveals standardized molding in Sasanian stuccos versus variable Early Islamic techniques at Ctesiphon, indicating a shift toward less centralized production over time.

Key Points

To characterize the manufacturing technology, raw material origins, and organizational shifts in stucco architectural decoration at Ctesiphon across the Sasanian and Early Islamic periods.
Conducted an integrated archaeometric investigation of sixteen stucco objects (N=16) curated at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Analyzed structural and compositional features using optical microscopy, petrographic thin-section analysis, micro–X-ray diffraction (µXRD), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS).
Sasanian stuccos were predominantly manufactured using prefabricated molds with minimal hand-finishing, whereas Early Islamic artifacts displayed greater technological variation suggestive of decentralized workshop production.
Chemical analyses identified locally sourced evaporitic raw materials across all samples, showing no direct correlation to specific decorative motifs.
Detected phase markers—including bassanite, anhydrite, amorphous aluminosilicates, and combustion residues—demonstrated heterogeneous firing conditions typical of traditional gypsum kilns.

Cite This Study

Shekofteh et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aabb7a65f706d05830e6d0d https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-026-02556-9

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