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Mottaghi N, Askarpour V, Razani M, Barfi C. (2026). Archaeometric Investigation into the Manufacturing Technology of Terracotta Horse Figurines from the Abpa Site, Farashband: An Integrated Approach Using XRD and EDS. JRA. 12(1), : 2 doi:10.66224/jra.2026.12.102
URL: http://jra-tabriziau.ir/article-1-425-en.html

This study investigates 120 fragmented clay horse figurines excavated from the archaeological site of Koh-e Abpa, located in the Farashband intermountain plain of western Fars (near Shiraz). The site lacks well-defined cultural stratigraphy. Recurrent breakage patterns, predominantly affecting the head, legs, and tail, exhibit consistent features suggestive of deliberate fragmentation, most likely linked to ritual practices (ritual fragmentation or intentional breakage). In the absence of previous archaeometric investigations, a representative subset of samples from the 2014 excavation season was selected and subjected to a type-variety classification approach. The integrated analytical protocol combined stereomicroscopic examination with X-ray diffraction (XRD) for mineralogical composition, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) for elemental characterization, and principal component analysis (PCA) for multivariate statistical grouping of the compositional data. The results reveal high porosity and the presence of surface coatings/slip features consistent with hand-modeling (plastic forming) techniques rather than mold production or wheel-throwing. Compositional analyses identified six discrete compositional groups, while firing temperature estimates (based on mineralogical transformations, vitrification degree, and thermal indicators) indicate consistently low firing, below the α-β quartz inversion point of ~573°C (i.e., very low-fired earthenware, non-vitrified). These technological characteristics demonstrate a close correspondence between the manufacturing technology (low technological investment, hand-crafted, low-temperature firing) and the inferred ritual function, reinforcing the interpretation of the figurines as votive or sacrificial objects employed in ritual or ceremonial contexts, likely deliberately fragmented as part of structured depositional or termination practices.