Technological Insights into Early Medieval Slavic Lead-Glazed Pottery: Local Craftsmanship and its Broader Archaeometric Context

Abstrakt

This study examines the technological development and material composition of glazed pottery from Lesser Poland, highlighting two distinct glazing horizons spanning the 11th to 13th centuries. Employing analytical methods, including lead isotope analysis (MC-ICP-MS), SEM-EDS, and pXRD, the research establishes a connection between early glazing practices and regional polymetallic ore deposits from Upper Silesia. The findings reveal a significant technological progression: an earlier phase (mid-11th to early 12th century) characterized by durable, lead-rich glazes, followed by a later phase (12th–13th century) marked by thinner and more refined glazing techniques. This investigation provides novel insights into the innovation, technological adaptation, and regional craftsmanship of early medieval Polish pottery, contributing to the broader understanding of interregional production networks and the diffusion of technological knowledge in medieval Europe.