Magnetic and chemical characterization of black pottery from Hanseong Baekje archaeological site, South Korea

Abstract

The black pottery unearthed from the Hanseong Baekje archaeological site in Seoul, South Korea was characterized by type using different techniques. The samples were classified into three types depending on their coloring pattern. There was no observable difference in the mineral and major element composition of the black colored part and raw material soil part of each sample. However, differences in magnetic properties and carbon content reflect the characteristics of each type and part of the sample. These results help to distinguish the mechanisms for black color development between reductive fired black pottery and soot-coated black pottery.