The Making of Forum Ware: A High‐Resolution Archaeometric Study of Early Medieval Glazed Pottery From the Templum Pacis (Imperial Forum, Rome)

Abstract

The object of this study consists of an archaeometric investigation of Early medieval Forum Ware glazed ceramics found in the central archaeological area of Rome, a significant chronological and economic marker for 8th–11th centuries. Instrumental analysis included digital microscopy, ESEM‐EDS imaging, EDS spectral analysis, EMPA quantitative measurements and XRF investigations. Results provided clues about the chemical‐mineralogical composition of the ceramic body and the glass coating, as well as on the manufacturing procedure. Archaeometric analyses were conducted on Forum Ware samples collected from the same kiln they had been produced, corresponding to the first known discovery of a production site for this class of ceramics in the Middle Ages.