Geochemical and petrographical approaches concerning at the origin of Hisarönü (Marmaris) amphoras

In this study, we tried to determine differences and similarities between the samples of black and red clays taken from the region by performing geochemical and petrographical analyses on 18 amphora pieces that are obtained as a result of the archeological excavations made in Hisarönü (Marmaris). We examined whether the clay used in amphora production belongs to this region or not. Besides, re-firing process has been applied to the samples in order to determine firing temperature of the amphora, and as a result of this process, we revealed that firing temperature of the amphora could be 850-900 ºC. Amphora samples are divided into three groups according to geochemical analyses results. Amphora samples of this group are also supported by petrographical studies. We didn?t observe any phases that would indicate firing temperature after X-ray diffraction studies performed on amphoras of these three groups. Chemistry of the red clay that was taken from the clay samples of this region shows similarity to the chemistry of the amphoras. Although the amphoras were divided into three groups between them, they show grand heterogeneity. This condition can be changed from one workshop to another concerning the preparation of the ceramic mud. It is highly possible that the amphora mud would be prepared by adding ultrabasic rock pieces to the clay taken from the region after a filtration process.