Chemical and Mineralogical Characterization of Menderes Valley Red Slip Amphorae from Tripolis (Denizli-Western Anatolia)
摘要
This research paper unveils the outcomes of a chemical and mineralogical analysis conducted on Red Slip Amphorae dating back to the Roman period (4th–6th century AD) unearthed in Tripolis (Denizli-Western Anatolia). The investigation involved a set of six amphorae, and it encompassed an examination of their typological characteristics, thin-section petrography, X-ray fluorescence, and X-ray diffraction. The colors of the paste within these amphorae were identified as being reddish yellow and light brown. The findings from the petrographical analyses reveal that the amphorae consist of exceptionally well-sorted and abundant minerals, including muscovite, quartz, plagioclase, and calcite. The temperatures at which these samples were fired were determined to be below 800 °C. The interpretation of the chemical analyses disclosed that, on average, the samples were composed of 38.0% SiO2, 6.56% Fe2O3, 18.5% CaO, and 3.8% K2O. As a result of archeometrical evaluations, it becomes evident that these Amphorae exhibit a significant resemblance to the local clay, despite originating from the Meander Valley (Menderes Massif clays). Furthermore, it should be noted that these amphorae likely played a role in trade activities between neighboring cities, such as Laodikeia and Hierapolis.