Investigating the heating temperatures of ancient ceramic artifacts can offer information about their pro- duction technology and enrich our knowledge about the ?re control skills in ancient times. We present here the results of a multi-analytical approach, including magnetic, X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) and thermoluminescence (TL) analyses, applied on the investigation of the equivalent ?ring temperature of the ceramic co?n (No 2) found in the well-known Sada Nishizuka Kofun, Japan. Monitoring of the mag- netic properties of the studied fragments versus laboratory heating showed clear magnetic enhancement at relatively low temperatures around 350?500 °C. The magnetic results were compared with indepen- dent data obtained from XRPD and TL analyses. The XRPD patterns showed the presence of quartz, pla- gioclases and clay minerals such as muscovite and smectite, which indicate ?ring temperatures lower than 850?950 °C. The presence of kaolinite in almost all the studied samples lower the estimate temper- ature below 550 °C. Such data were further con?rmed by the TL analysis which suggest ?ring tempera- ture lower than 525 °C. The results obtained indicate that the co?n was most probably produced in an open or covered kiln, following the Japanese Haji-type traditional production, reaching maximum ?ring temperature lower than 550 °C. This study offers the ?rst archaeometric experimental data to better un- derstand the production strategy of ceramic co?ns during the Kofun period in Japan and highlights the potential of non-conventional archaeometric analyses, such as magnetic and thermoluminescence inves- tigations, to obtain information on ?ring procedures for ancient ceramic artifacts.
