ICP-MS analysis of ancient ceramics as identification method of clay sources and pottery production area

The paper is concerned with the results of ICP-MS analysis of the wheel-thrown ceramic paste specimens from medieval Karelian hillforts (North-Western Priladozhje), ancient Novgorod, Noteburg (the Oreshek fortress) and clay samples obtained from unidentified sources. Mass-spectrometric (ICP-MS) analysis of ceramic shard clays involving 48 pottery ware samples and four specimens of clay deposits helped to reveal three groups of vessels within the pottery set found in the area of Karelian hillforts. The majority of ceramics is presented by local pottery made of red-burning clay. A group of white-burning clay ceramics from unidentified production centers and imported ware of red-burning clay were distinguished. The obtained data determined subsequent necessity to continue research to identify the place of imported and indigenous white-burning clay pottery production. Realization of the 2nd series of analysis (52 samples: 46 - paste specimens, 6 - raw material specimens) helped to expand the base of the reference samples and to include ceramic items from the nearest production centers characterized by developed pottery craft - Novgorod and Oreshek.