Published: 2025-12-31

Raw materials used for early medieval whiteware from selected centres on the Polish-Rus’ borderland

Michał Auch
Archeologia Polski
Section: Studies
DOI https://doi.org/10.23858/APol70.2025.04

Abstract

To determine the clay sources and the place of production of early medieval whiteware, the author analysed the chemical composition of the ceramic masses from a sample of vessels originating from three sites in the Polish-Rus’ borderland: a settlement complex in Czermno-on-the-Huczwa River, the site in Gródek-on-the-Bug River, and the Wysoka Górka residential and religious complex in Chełm. They also aimed to establish whether differences in chemical composition were reflected in the style and morphology of the vessels and their dating. Microscopic observations and analytical results identified the material as kaolinitic clay in most cases, presumably originating from deposits in the vicinity of Rawa Ruska and Potelych (now Ukraine). It was found that over the ages—the ware was produced from the beginning of the 11th century to the end of the 13th the clay was apparently sourced from various locations within the same deposit. The analysis confirmed a similarity between the clay used for some early medieval ceramics and that found in three 17th–18th century vessels from Gródek. Furthermore, it was established that the glazed vessel discovered in Czermno had been produced in Chełm. It was also found that carbonate clays containing significant amounts of calcium oxide, sources of which are found in the vicinity of Czermno and Chełm, had most likely been used to produce some of the vessels from these locations. 

Keywords:

Polish-Rus’ borderland, Czermno, Chełm, Gródek-Volhynia, whiteware, sources, chemical analysis

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Auch, M. (2025). Raw materials used for early medieval whiteware from selected centres on the Polish-Rus’ borderland. Archeologia Polski, 70, 79–115. https://doi.org/10.23858/APol70.2025.04

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