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Caitlin Downey |
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During the 1990-1998 seasons of MARWP's investigations
at Pylos, a series of fragments of porous, semi-vitrified terracotta were
uncovered. These unusual pieces were originally interpreted as debris
from pottery production, either pottery "wasters" or fragments of kiln
walls. On closer examination, however, it became evident that they had
traits not typically found in ceramic industry debris. In the first place,
most of the pieces were much lighter than typical ceramic, having a specific
gravity of 0.8 - approximately one-third of that normally found in ceramics.
In the second place, nearly all the pieces preserved smooth convex and
concave planes on one side while the opposite side appeared lumpy and
formless. Furthermore, many of the pieces showed heavy vitrification,
which invariably affected this lumpy surface but not the smooth side,
which instead, typically retained a fine slip. All these features, when
taken in combination, are more indicative of metalworking than ceramic
or other craft activity, and, more specifically, appear to be the broken
remnants of bronze casting molds. Joins made among the fragments also
suggest that this metalworking was being done in a period much later than
the Bronze Age.
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