Mineralogy and micromorphology of chalcolithic and early bronze age Ikiztepe ceramics

The mineralogy and micromorphology of ceramics from the Ikiztepe site (Chalcolithic and Early Bronze) have firing characteristics that indicate low temperature levels and oxidizing conditions. Stress phenomena indicated by cracks most probably indicate a process of shrinkage. Illuviated clay suggests the occurrence of humid periods with vigorous precipitation, pluvials during the Holocene. Provenance of clays used for production of ceramics is determined to be of nearby surface soils.     

Frontal oscillations on the NE newfoundland shelf

Abstract

An examination of the temperature and current measurements from the NE Newfoundland Shelf indicates significant frontal variability at about a 7‐day period during the months of June‐September 1989. The oscillations recorded in 1989 appeared to have propagated into the region from the Labrador Shelf. Significant variability in the position of the shelf water/slope water front in the Bonavista area is also found between years and within the same year. Time series measurements also indicated that the transition from winter to summer conditions in the inshore region may be occurring during late July to early August.     

Preliminary study of the microstructure and mineralogy of 12th and 13th century ceramics,Samsat, Southeastern Turkey

The mineralogy and microstructure of 12th and 13th century ceramics from Samsat, Turkey were examined with an X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope. There is a highly vitrified interlayer between the glaze and body in these sherds that probably accounts for the high durability of these ceramics. the lower vitrification and uniformity of the body in these ceramics suggests that leftover glaze was not mixed with paste during manufacture. Finally, the presence of tabular forsterite in the pores of the body points to the use of magnesium rich raw materials.