The Characterisation of Argillaceous Inclusions in Ceramic Thin Sections

Using descriptive methods derived from soil micromorphology, argillaceous inclusions (argillaceous rock fragments, grog, clay pellets and clay temper) can be characterised by the study of boundaries, roundness, shape, optical density, internal and external features, constituents and colour. Examination of the argillaceous inclusions in Corinthian A and A’ transport amphorae, through the description of their properties, permits the conclusion that they consist of mudstone in both A and A', together with clay temper in the A fabric and clay pellets in A'.