An archaeometric investigation of the white-infilled decorations in Għar Dalam phase pottery

Abstract

The study explores complementary archaeometric analyses applied to Għar Dalam phase white-infilled decorations (c. 6,000-5,400 BC), traditionally believed to be composed of gypsum as proposed by Trump (1966). This research represents the first multi-sample and multi-site study, examining a total of five samples from Skorba and Santa Verna. Using optical microscopy and SEM for microstructure observation, EDS for chemical composition and μ-XRD for mineralogical data, the analyses revealed that calcite was the primary decorating material, consistently found alongside quartz, with additional minerals including dolomite, aragonite and fluorapatite. No gypsum was detected, challenging the previously held hypothesis. Furthermore, the study underscores the technological knowledge of the potters, reflected in their selection of locally available materials and their understanding of factors in the chaîne opératoire including material procurement, binder use and firing processes.