Microstructural Characterization of Ceramic Aggregates within Roman Mortars: Recycling ceramic waste and cross-craft practices from Sagalassos (SW Anatolia)

At the archaeological site of Sagalassos (SW Anatolia) different mortar types have been identified, including mortars to which ceramics were added. This work presents the results of a systematic petrographic and geochemical examination of > 100 ceramic fragments embedded within about 30 mortar samples from the site. These fragments were compared to the characteristics of locally produced ceramics. The ceramics present in mortars correspond mostly to coarse wares with a prevalence of local bricks & tiles. Despite the strong presence of domestic pottery and tableware next to misfired ceramic and kiln wasters, these types of ceramics have a much smaller role. This preference for coarse wares might be related to the role, proximity and availability of the materials and offers important insights into cross-craft interactions among the “building craftspeople” from the brick and mortar industry at Sagalassos. The integration of these results with other findings strongly suggests the presence of an organized waste management and recycling system at the site.