Archaeometric analysis of Nasrid glazed architectural ceramics from the Alhambra and Generalife Monument, Granada (Spain)

Research reveals that most Nasrid glazed architectural ceramics from the Alhambra and Generalife, dating to the 13th–14th centuries, utilized lead tin-opacified bases with inglaze techniques, fired at approximately 950 °C in oxidizing conditions. A notable discovery is the deliberate addition of bone fragments or ashes to white and blue glazes, as evidenced by phosphorus content. Microstructural analysis also identified unmelted quartz and feldspar grains, along with Cr-bearing wollastonite crystals precipitated during firing. Additionally, one fragment initially thought to be black-glazed was found to be a polished section of metamorphic rock, challenging assumptions about material use in Nasrid glazing techniques.

Cardell, C., Urosevic, M., Dias Martins, D., Guerra, I., & García Porras, A. (2026). Archaeometric analysis of Nasrid glazed architectural ceramics from the Alhambra and Generalife Monument, Granada (Spain). Boletín de La Sociedad Española de Cerámica Y Vidrio, 65(1), 100477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bsecv.2025.100477