Chemical composition and manufacturing technology of a collection of various types of Islamic glazes excavated from Jordan

A collection of Islamic glazed pottery shards that were excavated from the archaeological site of Dohaleh/Northern Jordan were chemically analysed. The glazes belong to three different decorative styles. The chemical analysis of the glazes was carried out using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence. The chemical analysis results enable the classification of the glazes into the three distinct compositional groups with reference to their principal modifier, these are: the alkaline glazes, the high lead glazes and the lead-alkali glazes. In some cases the body fabric was analysed by a combination of petrographic and chemical analysis techniques. The study show that inherited traditional techniques were combined with innovative Islamic techniques were used for the production of the glazes.