Description

This manual is the first of the sort, describing the use of the new portable digital microscopes for analysis of archaeological ceramics in the field or in the laboratory. It is presented like a geology atlas, with a description of the most common minerals and lithic fragments found in ancient ceramic pastes to help archaeologists identify what they see under the microscope. Identification of manufacture, technological features is also addressed, and an analysis protocol is proposed involving digital image analysis. The manual is abundantly illustrated with pictures of archaeological and ethnographic ceramic pastes and raw materials. It is a reference book for all involved in the analysis of archaeological ceramics and a major tool to help identify, classify and choose the best fragments for further analysis.