Organic Inclusions

Organic inclusions found in ceramics may have come from the clay deposits where they naturally occur or they may have been added intentionally to the clay paste by potters for tempering ceramic. In the first instance, they are entire microscopic organisms or parts of microscopic and macroscopic plants or animals. In the second case, the plant or animal tempers are specifically selected and may be used alone or mixed with other organic or inorganic tempers. During the firing of the clay artifacts, organic compounds undergo a partial or complete destruction; charred organic materials or their heat-resistant fragments are nevertheless useful for the identification of their origin. The use of different tempers determines different ceramic typologies and provides information about technology and tradition. In addition, organic inclusions may indicate the geographical area of ceramic manufacture, the depositional environment of the clay and ancient agricultural practices in the area of production.