NETTUNO fabric 3

NET I/(II).AD*.ms(-ps)(2-4).b, ((large) FeMn nodules), ((large) Augite), ((large) Flint)

Description on basis of macroscopical observation up to x30 (see image of fresh cross section above and table below)

The fabric is reddish/orange to brownish firing, occasionally with a dark inner core. The predominant colour is Munsell 2.5 YR 3/4 (dusky red) (25%), although this is based on a relatively low number of sherds assigned to this fabric. The total amount of inclusions is between 10 and 20%. Fine, mainly rounded to sub-angular Quartz and Feldspar is predominant in the clay matrix, though this is hardly detectable by naked eye. In general the sorting is moderate to poor, with an emphasis on moderate. The distribution of inclusions is fairly equal.

Besides Quartz and Feldspars, occasionally Augite, Ferro-Manganese nodules and Flint occur. The Ferro-Manganese nodules and to a lesser extent the Augite are visible by naked eye.

This fabric shares characteristics with number 2 NET I.(ad*)eq.ps-vps(1-4).c, (large) FeMn nodules / (large) Augite and number 4 NET I/(II).AD*.ms-ps(2-4).a, variety of characteristics. 

This fabric is considered slightly more sorted when compared to the related fabric number 4: NET I/(II).AD*.ms-ps(2-4).a, variety of characteristics (compare the thin-sections of fabrics 3 and 4, which have the same size in field of view). In the fabric codes this is expressed in ms (-ps) versus ms-ps. The total amount of inclusions is between 15 and 20%. Although Ferro-Manganese nodules and Augite, characteristic for fabric numbers 1 and 2, are present here, its volume is less and the maximum size of the particles ranges up to only 1000 (=0,1 cm.). Abundantly present is a mixture of fine, rounded to sub-angular Quartz and Feldspar with a slight emphasis on Feldspar (<355 - 500 = < 0,035 – 0,05 cm.). About half of the inclusions show traces of initial weathering, with (polycristalline) Quartz being affected most. Thin-sections from Iron Age impasto sherds from Satricum show comparable levels of weathering (Delvigne, 1998: p. 15). The shape of the majority of inclusions is rounded to sub-angular.

The clay matrix is somewhat micaceous and shows many small fissures running parallel with the shape of the section. Furthermore, large shrinkage fissures throughout the section are noteworthy.

Size and distribution of the inclusions in this section compare to those observed in the thin-sections of fabric number 4 (NET I/(II).AD*.ms-ps(2-4).a, variety of characteristics). This confirms the mutual relation between both fabrics.

Of special interest in the second thin-section (plates 3.4 and 3.5) is a zone just beneath the surface in which only smaller inclusions are present, indicating that the object was finished with tempered clay of a different composition. A transition between the two areas is visible in a slight colour change and shifting average size of inclusions. It is comparable to an example described under fabric number 2: NET I.(ad*)eq.ps-vps(1-4).c, (large) FeMn nodules / (large) Augite.

The fissures visible in the first thin-section (plate 3.2) show a strong preferential orientation, which might indicate the use of a slow wheel in shaping the vessels of this fabric. The zone in the right, however, reveals a random orientation of fissures in different sizes. This randomness is supported by the weak micaceousness of the clay pellets in all directions under crossed polarizors. In spite of the preferential orientation of fissures observed in the thin-section, it is, therefore, noted that the vessels of this fabric were also modelled by hand.

table 10 .2    properties of NETTUNO fabric 3 in thin section (x: absent / p: present)