Lyell Collection
Geological Society, London, Special Publications
Lyell Centre  |   Lyell Collection  |   Subscriptions   |   Geological Society  |   Email alerts  |   Online bookshop  |   Help

Keywords:
Author:
Advanced search>>
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Gerrard, C. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
GeoRef
Right arrow GeoRef Citation
Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 1991; v. 57; p. 189-197;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1991.057.01.15
© 1991 Geological Society of London

Sedimentary petrology and the archaeologist: the study of ancient ceramics

Christopher M. Gerrard

Cotswold Archaeological Trust, Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 2BX, UK

Ceramics are essentially modified sediments. This paper describes the objectives of the scientific study of ceramics and the range of appropriate methodologies which have been developed in recent years with special reference to ceramic petrology. The paper is illustrated by a number of examples taken from the author’s own work on prehistoric and medieval ceramics from Britain and Spain which demonstrate how the techniques of sedimentology have been modified to provide greater insight into ancient technologies and patterns of social and economic data.