Technological fingerprints of the Early Bronze Age clay figurines from Tell Mardikh-Ebla (Syria)

This study is focused on the clay figurines from the archaeological site of Tell Mardikh, ancient Ebla (Syria), dating back between 2400 and 2000 BC. Optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis have been used. Petrographic observations indicated the occurrence of three different fabrics. Quantitative phase analysis by the Rietveld method revealed that four main mineralogical assemblages are present, suggesting a firing temperature in the 800-1050 °C thermal range. Only three samples were fired at temperature lower than 800 °C as suggested by the presence of very abundant primary calcite and clay minerals. Concerning the redox state of atmosphere, the artefacts were fired in oxidizing conditions. Both BSE images and X-ray maps provided information on microtextural relationship between primary and neoformed phases. These results showed an evolutionary trend of manufacturing technique during the second half of the 3rd millennium BC (Early Bronze Age IV).