Generalitat of Catalonia

Change of Design in Antique objects: A Question of Technology

This activity shows the research being carried out on vases and kitchen pottery (terra sigillara) manufactured by the ceramic artists of the Roman era. Archeometry is the study of archaeological objects by means of the development and use of scientific techniques in order to answer questions concerned with the history of civilization. The application of these techniques permits us to answer questions such as: Where were the ceramics made? Why did they have this design and not another? Why are they made with certain colours, varnishes or decorations and not others? How did the artists achieve these finishes?