New Compositional Insights into the Levantine Iron Age from Rare Glazed Ceramics of Tall Zarʿa

Journal article

Twelve early glazed ceramic sherds from Tall Zarʿa (Iron Age, c. 1200–600 BCE) were analysed to determine the composition and provenance of ceramics and glaze materials. Glazes were examined by LA-ICP-MS for major, minor, and trace elements, and ceramic matrices were studied using SEM-EDS to assess correlations between glaze and substrate. Eleven samples contained copper-based glazes; one (20747) showing elevated cobalt. Excluding this sample, three glaze–ceramic compositional groups were identified: (1) high As/low Pb glazes with high Fe₂O₃/low MgO ceramics; (2) low As/low Pb glazes with low Fe₂O₃/low MgO ceramics; and (3) low As/high Pb glazes with high Fe₂O₃/high MgO ceramics. Glaze variation paralleled differences in ceramic matrix composition. Sample 20747, from a later context, contained cobalt consistent with “Type N1” glazes of Ptolemaic/Late Period origin. The results indicate at least three copper-based glaze recipes associated with distinct ceramic fabrics, reflecting technological diversity and exchange at Tall Zarʿa.

Authors: Kemp, V; Schmidt, K; Delbey, T; Braekmans, D

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: SpringerOpen
• Journal: npj Heritage Science
• Publication date: 2026-06-09
• DOI: 10.1038/s40494-026-02590-9
• EISSN: 3059-3220
• ISSN: 3059-3220
• Language: English
• Keywords: Mineral; Ceramic glaze; Provenance; Glaze; Ceramic; Matrix (chemical analysis); Kiln