An interdisciplinary approach to the study of kiln firing: a case study from the Campus Galli open-air museum (southern Germany)

Abstract Pottery kilns are a common feature in the archaeological record of different periods. However, these pyrotechnological installations still seldom target interdisciplinary investigations. To fill this gap our knowledge, an updraft kiln firing experiment was run at Campus Galli open-air museum (southern Germany) by team consisting experimental archaeologists, material scientists, geoarchaeologists, and palaeobotanists. The entire process from preparation raw materials to opening carefully recorded with particular focus on study used for pottery making, as well fuel usage. temperatures were monitored thermocouples placed positions combustion chambers. In addition, installed within wall measure temperature distribution inside structure itself. Unfired controlled experimentally thermally altered ceramic samples then characterised integrated analysis including petrography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), portable fluorescence (pXRF). Our work provides data about mineralogical microstructural developments both structures ceramics produced type installations. This is helpful discuss limits potential various scientific analyses commonly ancient studies. Overall, contributes better understanding technology offers guidelines how address using research strategies.