In a major step toward solving a long-standing archaeological mystery, researchers in Israel are turning to science to uncover where ancient pottery was made. The national project, launched by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), seeks to identify the origin of ceramic vessels found in archaeological digs across the country.
Although pottery is one of the most common finds at excavation sites, the kilns where these items were originally fired are often missing. Without these vital links, archaeologists have struggled for decades to determine whether pottery was produced locally or imported. The new research aims to close that gap by analyzing thousands of ancient ceramic pieces.
The study is led by Anat Cohen Weinberger of the Israel Antiquities Authority and professor Alexander Fantalkin of Tel Aviv University. Together, they are examining pottery from a range of historical periods to better understand ancient trade patterns and manufacturing systems.
Scientific methods help fill historical gaps
To trace the origins of the pottery, researchers are using two main techniques that examine the makeup of the clay. The first method, called petrography, involves slicing a tiny section of pottery and viewing it under a special microscope. This allows scientists to study the minerals and rocks in the clay, revealing where the raw materials came from and how ancient potters prepared them.
The second method involves exposing small pieces of pottery to neutron radiation. This process helps detect chemical elements in the clay, even in tiny amounts. By comparing these results with known samples, scientists can suggest where a vessel was likely made — even if no kiln is present at the site where it was found.
Israeli researchers are using advanced chemical and mineral analysis to trace where ancient pottery was made. The national project aims to map kiln “fingerprints” to reveal trade networks and cultural links in antiquity. pic.twitter.com/EVzv208u9o
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) January 13, 2026
Cohen Weinberger explained that this kind of analysis acts like a fingerprint for ancient pottery workshops. “When we know where certain pieces were made, we can begin to identify similar pieces found elsewhere,” she said. “This helps us trace how pottery moved from one place to another, revealing trade routes and local economies.”
Building a national digital atlas of ancient kilns
As part of the project, the researchers are building a digital database that will store the results of their analysis. Known as the “kiln atlas,” this online tool will serve as a national reference system for archaeologists studying ceramics in Israel.
The atlas is designed to allow comparisons between new pottery finds and the growing library of known kiln profiles. It will also be used as a long-term research tool, helping scholars map out historical connections between regions and cultures across different time periods.
Mechael Osband, head of the Petrography Lab at the University of Haifa, praised the project for its scale and ambition. Although not involved in the study, he described it as “groundbreaking” and said it will provide valuable support for future research.
There’s nothing like this elsewhere in the world, Osband explained. It will have a major impact on how we understand ancient economies and social connections. By combining scientific methods with archaeological fieldwork, the Israeli team is creating new ways to interpret the past — one piece of pottery at a time.