Combination of Physico-Chemical and Lead Isotope Analyses for the Provenance Study of the Archaeological Materials: Example of Saadien Ceramics (16th Century, Marrakech Morocco)

This paper aims to study the provenance of archaeological Saadien ceramics (16th century, Marrakech) based on the chemical, mineralogical and lead isotope composition of clays used as raw materials in the manufacture of ceramics in Morocco and collected in the six major potter sites of Marrakech (Ourika I and II, Saada I and II and Mzouda) and Fez (Benjlikh). The clay chemical, mineralogical and isotopic signatures of these raw materials are compared to the compositions of decorated ceramics from El Badi Palace and Saadien Tombs, the most visited archaeological sites in Marrakech, described as World Heritage by UNESCO. The chemical composition was determined using X-ray fluorescence analysis, while the structural changes of the mineral phases during firing were studied using X-ray diffraction over a temperature range between 500–1000 °C. Pb isotopes, on the other hand, were measured using the Nu Plasma MC-ICP-MS technique. Results show that Saadien ceramics were made using calcareous clay from the Fez region. These clays were imported by the artisans from 400 km away to be used in the manufacturing of ceramics in the Saadien buildings of Marrakech. The firing temperature of these materials ranges between 600 and 700 °C for El Badi Palace, and from 800 to 900 °C for the Saadien Tombs ceramics using traditional ovens. This study reveals the mystery behind the source of Saadien ceramics and provides artisans with information about the origin of the raw materials used in Marrakech’s 16th-century buildings, which should be considered for any future restoration of these materials.