Petrographic insight into the sourcing and production of pre‐colonial Ceramics from Aruba

Bibliographic Data

ID12133685
AuthorsSimone Casale (0000-0002-0126-2788, Faculty of Archaeology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands, corresponding author), Niels Groot (Faculty of Archaeology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands), Raymundo A C F Dijkhoff (National Archaeological Museum Aruba Oranjestad Aruba), Harold J Kelly (Faculty of Archaeology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands), Loe Jacobs (0000-0002-5649-4025, Faculty of Archaeology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands), P Degryse (0000-0003-3604-6505, Faculty of Archaeology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands), C L Hofman (0000-0003-4447-5019, Leiden University)
Year2024
Volume39
Issue6
Pages609-627
Publication date2024-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0883-6353 • E-ISSN: 1520-6548
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/gea.22017
OpenAlexW4400215909
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited19

This research presents the findings of a petrographic analysis conducted on pre‐colonial Ceramics from Aruba, focusing on understanding ceramic mineral resources and production. The study compared ceramics from nine sites with a selection of clay sources from the island. Petrographic analysis identified the existence of three different mineralogical compositions. Two groups of undecorated vessels were likely manufactured using locally sourced clay materials. Group 1 ceramics show a connection with the weathering of quartz‐diorite intrusions in the northwest part of the island and suggest the exploitation of multiple, geographically close sources with similar compositions. Group 2 ceramics are related to clay sources found in the southeast of Aruba, with a mixed geological composition, including limestone, volcanic tuff and quartz‐diorite. In contrast, Group 3 ceramics are mostly decorated and belong to the Early Urumaco Period. They display a distinct composition characterized by a calcareous matrix with clay pellets, clay streaks and the presence of shell fragments added as temper. The extensive clay preparation practice leaves uncertainties concerning the origin of ceramics from Group 3. The study also highlights clay selection and use patterns, indicating that different clay sources were interchangeably utilized by communities across Aruba

Ceramic · Conglomerate · Diorite · Geochemistry · Metallurgy · Mineralogy · Petrography · Quartz · Sedimentary rock · Weathering · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Historical and Cultural Archaeology Studies · Maritime and Coastal Archaeology · Materials Science · Geology · Paleontology

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