Decorated Archaic Pottery from the Heracles Sanctuary at thebes: a Materials, Technology and Provenance Study*

A materials, technology, and provenance study of decorated Archaic pottery from the Heracles Sanctuary at Thebes reveals distinct chemical signatures and micromorphological traits that differentiate Theban/Boeotian, Corinthian, and potentially Euboean wares. Using non-destructive techniques such as optical microscopy, SEM–EDAX, and XRF, researchers analyzed 47 pottery samples to assess their technological sophistication and provenance relationships. The findings highlight the sanctuary's role in trade and cultural exchange during the Archaic period, providing new insights into ceramic production and distribution networks in ancient Greece.

MASTROTHEODOROS, G., BELTSIOS, K. G., ZACHARIAS, N., ARAVANTINOS, V., & KALLIGA, K. (2012). DECORATED ARCHAIC POTTERY FROM THE HERACLES SANCTUARY AT THEBES: A MATERIALS, TECHNOLOGY AND PROVENANCE STUDY*. Archaeometry, 55(5), 806–824. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2012.00705.x