Medieval Islamic type pottery from Siponto (Italy): an integrated physical-chemical and mineralogical investigation

Physical–chemical and morpho-mineralogical characterizations were performed on siliceous paste fragments from the archaeological site at Siponto (Foggia, Italy). Analytical investigations, by optical and scanning electron microscopy, powder x-ray diffraction, x-ray fluorescence and atomic spectroscopy, were carried out on ceramic bodies, coatings and decorations in order to outline the technological features and define the nature of coatings and pigments. The fragments, characterized by a siliceous paste bulk, true stonepaste type,with alkali–lime or lead–alkali glaze, sometimes coloured by Cu andMn compounds and decorated by incision, recall the ceramic production technologies typical of the Egyptian and the Syrian–Palestinian areas. The discovery of these fragments and the results of the investigations carried out prove the existence of extensive cultural exchanges between Apulia and the Middle East during the Middle Ages. This research provides extremely valuable input for the evaluation of the historical and artistic evolution of the relationship between different cultures, highlighting the relevance of scientific investigations also in archaeological fields other than provenance and dating.