Technological Characterization of Urartian Pithoi from Armenia: Fabrics, Surface Treatments, and Production Strategies

This study investigates technological practices and production strategies involved in the manufacture of Urartian pithoi, large ceramic storage vessels of the Kingdom of Urartu (9th–7th century BCE), from several archaeological sites in Armenia. Macroscopic fabric and surface analyses, supported by digital microscopy, were combined with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) to characterize raw materials, tempering strategies, firing conditions, and surface treatments using a largely non-invasive approach. The results indicate a broadly standardized technological tradition, alongside local variability in paste composition and surface finishing. Volcanic fabrics tempered with quartz and obsidian dominate the assemblage, while surface treatments such as smoothing, burnishing, and thin coatings reflect functional requirements related to impermeability and mechanical performance. These patterns suggest multi-scalar production systems operating within a state-controlled storage framework, combining shared technological choices with site-specific adaptations.