Magnetometric Investigations of the Ceramic Kilns of Early Medieval Taurica: New Results

Abstract

Local workshops for producing and firing ceramic building materials and containers began to arise everywhere near large centers in the Mountain Crimea in the early Middle Ages (VIII–XV centuries). A three-stage magnetometric technique and the results of its application to detection and study of the production centers of ceramic building materials and containers in medieval Taurica are considered. Only this approach makes it possible to reveal all kilns and related objects on the territories of pottery centers and analyze them in full detail. The location map of ceramic workshops in Mountain Taurica is presented, as well as detailed plans of several large pottery centers with detailed magnetic maps of each kiln, many of which were confirmed by excavations.