Application of geochemical analysis to Jomon pottery from the Tenjinyama site, Aichi prefecture

Abstract

The objective of this study is to reveal the constituent materials and origin of pottery materials (clay paste) from the early Jomon period pottery excavated from the Tenjinyama Site in Minamichita Town, Aichi Prefecture, by conducting chemical and isotopic analyses. This study will concentrate the correlation between archaeological pottery types defined by patterns and chemical and isotopic data.We have conducted quantitative analysis of major elements using XRF, quantitative analysis of trace elements, including rare earth elements, using ICP-MS, and Sr isotope analysis using TIMS on 20 pottery shards belonging to four pottery types. The results show a tendency for variation in the major element composition among the pottery types, which is indicative of the elemental composition of the source materials. Additionally, the results of the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope analysis suggest the presence of a two-component mixture. A comprehensive examination of data pertinent to the various pottery types and the stratigraphic context of pottery shards will be conducted to discuss the temporal changes in pottery production activities at the Tenjinyama Site.