Archaeometric analyses on 'Corinthian B' transport amphorae found at Gela (Sicily, Italy)

The aim of this work is to throw light on the archaic production of 'Corinthian B' amphorae, which are widely diffused in the Western Mediterranean basin and are also present in Greece, but whose geographical provenance is still under discussion. We analysed a group of 37 samples belonging to different ceramic classes dated to the sixth and fifth centuries BC. In particular, there were 19 sherds of trade amphorae of the so-called archaic 'Corinthian B' type, from archaeological excavations in Gela (Sicily, Italy). As a comparison, we also investigated 18 samples of tiles and local coarse pottery from Sibari (Calabria, Italy). The samples were analysed using different techniques, such as optical analysis with a polarized-light microscope (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared absorption (FT-IR) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The combination of these complementary analytical methods allowed us to characterize the samples, determine their firing temperatures and identify the probable provenance. The study of thin sections of sherds by OM allowed us to divide the investigated amphorae into two mat. it groups: the first was characterized by a composition that suggested a Western provenance, in particular from the Calabrian-Peloritan region; the second one was very similar to the 'Corinthian B' amphorae that come from Corinth and have been classified as fabric class 1' by Whitbread (1995). The XRD and FT-IR results permitted us to determine the mineral composition of the findings and to estimate their firing temperature. The ICP-OES technique was particularly useful in identifying the production centres. In fact, in the studied pottery, this analysis revealed Ni and Cr values that were noticeably different between Greek and southern Italian production.