The present research represents a new approach to the archeometric study of ancient ceramic vessels. The traditional techniques usually used
to characterize these materials in terms of compositional features, necessary to hypothesize provenance of the supplying raw materials, can
be sometimes misleading. Sr and Nd isotopic composition of clay deposits and temper likely used for the production of ceramic manufacts
of Campania archeological sites turned to be a valuable tool to validate chemical and mineralogical data. Theoretical mixing curves
between different end-members (clays and tempers available in Campania region) have been calculated in terms of Sr and Nd isotopic
compositions. Ceramics of the Bay of Naples as well as replicas simulating possible compositions of ancient ceramics well fitted these curves
thus confirming the use of a Ca-rich clay from Ischia and a Phlegraean temper for Cuma ceramics. The same temper along with a different Ca-rich clay from Salerno likely represent the raw materials used in the ceramic manufacts from Pompei. A further confirm of the use
of this clay from Salerno was given by the comparative paleontological study on unfired samples found in an ancient kiln of Pompei and
clays from the sedimentary basin of Salerno area.
Parole chiave: Argille, ceramiche, Cuma, Pompei, Sr-Nd isotopi
Keywords: Clays, ceramics, Cuma, Pompeii, Sr-Nd isotopes
