The present study aims to understand the reasons for the visual differences of black gloss
pottery found in northern Etruria. The results obtained by conventional (scanning electron
microscope, electron microprobe) and synchrotron (X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray absorption
spectroscopy) techniques indicate that the thickness, porosity or chemical composition of the
different types of gloss cannot be used as the principal distinguishing factor. The size of
quartz or feldspar crystals may well be a critical factor responsible for the matt effect in some …

The object of the present study is an assemblage of 149 black gloss pottery samples found
in northern Etruria (Tuscany, Italy), at Arezzo, Volterra, Chiusi and Populonia. Complete
chemical analyses have been performed for the whole set of samples, whereas
mineralogical characterization has been provided for most of the Volterra, Chiusi and
Populonia samples. The Chiusi‐Marcianella production site has been the further object of a
detailed study aimed at the creation of a complete reference group. Moreover, several trade …