Identifying Ancient Pottery (Tests You Can Do At Home)

3 tests you can do to point you down a proper research path on objects that may be ancient (relics), just made in traditional methods (replicas or ethnographic artifacts), or outright fakes. Please note that these tests do not guarantee anything and often are insufficient. They only make implications and are useful to the new collector or research enthusiast. Some fakes will pass these tests (ie traditional pit fired pottery made decades ago) and some genuine pieces will not pass (as you will see). Only an authentic COA from a respectable professional, historical context, and/or TL/carbon 14 tests can make guarantees.

[@kailindfors4648]

Renaissance wax is a must in order to protect them properly. I have used several cans on different materials during the years.

[@JamesPace-bs5fx]

I enjoyed your video. Nice collection & display. I wonder if these tests work on a ceramic that’s been underwater rather than buried. For instance, on a pot, half-covered in sea encrustation.

[@johnboyce8999]

I have worked with potters who use old methods to fire pottery, the degree of vitrification depends on the temperature of the pit fire. unfortunately during the craze for Han pottery the forgers buried pieces with plants that had aggressive rooting to fake root marking on surfaces. I'm just saying that your tests are OK if you have an idea of how the work was made and where it came from. What we really need is a good $25.00 TL test. Be well. John Boyce

[@hsmd4533]

Nice video but I wish you would have told the age of each.

[@WildWatch]

Thanks for the information, I’m came cross two pots that seems to pass the test..: what do you suggest I can do with them? ( Ancient Greek/ Cyprus)