THIN-SECTION PETROGRAPHY IN STUDIES OF CULTURAL MATERIALSCHANDRA L. REEDY
ABSTRACT—Thin-section petrography can serve a number of functions in studies of cultural objects. It is used to characterize and identify inorganic materials, locate the specific source of materials, group objects that may have a common source, and, less commonly, provide information on object deterioration and the effects of conservation treatment. This paper presents an introduction to the types of cultural materials and research questions that have been examined through thin-section petrography. Examples involve studies of stone (sculptures and architectural materials), ceramics (vessels and sherds, terracotta sculptures, and architectural ceramics), glass and glazes, and miscellaneous materials such as clay core materials from bronzes, plaster and cements, frescoes, and slags.
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