The provenance of the Pompeii cooking wares: Insights from LA–ICP-MS trace element analyses

• Cooking ware ceramics from Pompeii were studied to verify the provenance.
• Composition of clinopyroxenes in ceramic temper was determined by LA–ICP–MS.
• Chemical comparison with clinopyroxenes in volcanic rocks was performed.
• Trace elements, V, Sr, Zr, Y and REE, allowed discerning products with similar magmatic affinity.

Cooking wares, is the most attested pottery group found in the I.E. (= Impianto Elettrico) 1980–1981 excavations at Pompeii. Typological classification and macroscopic observations on fabric types suggested the presence of products of different provenances. The following archaeometric study aims to verify archaeological assumptions regarding two selected ceramic groups characterized by similar volcanic temper: one of supposed local manufacture and one likely to have been produced in the Latium region. LA–ICP–MS analyses on selected volcanic phases (clinopyroxenes) occurring in ceramic temper, were compared with those occurring in the juvenile products of Latium and Campania volcanic districts suggested as provenance areas. Significant trace elements (V, Sr, Zr, Y and REE) and statistical approach distinguished the two investigated magmatic provinces, corroborating the archaeological hypothesis.