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SUMMARY:Experimental Approaches to the Pyrotechnology of Ancient Ceramics:
   A Look from the Prehistoric Balkans - Silvia Amicone (University of Tüb
 ingen)
DTSTART:20250509T121500Z
DTEND:20250509T130000Z
UID:TALK231673@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Qin-Qin Lü
DESCRIPTION:Ceramic pyrotechnology offers critical insights into the techn
 ological skills and cultural choices of early pottery-making communities. 
 Firing\, the process that transforms raw clay into durable ceramic\, has o
 ften been studied in fragmented ways. Researchers have tended to separate 
 kiln structures from temperature regimes and to rely heavily on ethnograph
 ic analogies.\nThis talk presents an integrated approach that combines arc
 haeometric analyses with experimental archaeology to better understand anc
 ient firing practices. Focusing on Neolithic ceramics from the Balkans\, a
  region known for its advanced pyrotechnological knowledge\, we apply tech
 niques such as X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD)\, scanning electron microsc
 opy (SEM)\, and ceramic petrography\, alongside controlled pit-firing expe
 riments.\nThis interdisciplinary framework reveals how prehistoric potters
  managed atmosphere\, temperature\, and duration\, offering new insights i
 nto their technical capabilities and decision-making processes. The approa
 ch also highlights its broader potential for application across diverse ar
 chaeological contexts.\n\nBio\n\nSilvia Amicone is a lecturer at the Unive
 rsity of Tübingen\, where she focuses on the study of ancient ceramic tec
 hnology through an interdisciplinary approach. She earned her PhD in archa
 eological science at University College London and has since collaborated 
 with numerous international research institutes\, with a particular focus 
 on ceramic production in the ancient world. Her research combines material
  analysis with scientific and archaeological methods to understand the tec
 hniques and knowledge of ancient potters. She is also deeply engaged in ex
 perimental archaeology\, reconstructing ceramic production processes to ga
 in deeper insights into past technologies and craftsmanship. Through her w
 ork\, she explores how technological practices reflect broader social\, cu
 ltural\, and economic dynamics. She has published in international academi
 c journals and is a frequent speaker at conferences in the field. In addit
 ion to her research\, she contributes to the training of young scholars an
 d the development of interdisciplinary collaborative projects.\n\nPlease j
 oin us in-person in the McDonald Institute seminar room or join online.\n\
 nhttps://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDc2MDk1ZGQtNmNkZC
 00M2U2LTliYjMtN2EyZWE0MDI5ZTAz%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2249a
 50445-bdfa-4b79-ade3-547b4f3986e9%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%227c42dde3-f200-49ed-9
 a81-5aa7e67f945e%22%7d
LOCATION:Seminar Room\, McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research\, D
 owning Site
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