R1: Characterization and description of minerals (Joint Session with The Gemmological Society of Japan)

[R1P-02] Estimation of firing-temperature of Neolithic pottery from Iran based on melting and decomposition textures of mineral grains in the ceramics.

*Masanori Kurosawa¹, Akira Tsuneki² (1. Life Environ. Sci., Univ. Tsukuba, 2. Human. Social Sci., Univ. Tsukuba)

Keywords:Pottery, Firing temperature, SEM, Melting, Thermal decomposition

Firing temperatures of Neolithic pottery samples from the Tappeh Sang-e Chakhmaq site, northeastern Iran were estimated by SEM−EDS analyses of microscopic partial-melting and decomposition textures of mineral grains and rock fragments in the pottery to evaluate a technical level of the pottery making. Based on melting temperatures of clay minerals, alkali feldspar, augite, it was estimated that almost all of the potteries were fired at about 900–1000°C.