Ancient explosives from Jerusalem identified on the analysis of the mysterious sphero-conical ceramic vessels using archaeological chemistry

Summary

Thick-walled small stoneware Sphero-conical vessels have been found throughout the Middle East between the 10th and 14th centuries. Researchers have proposed that these vessels could have been used as smoking pipes, grenades or containers holding medicines, mercury, beer or perfume. The unusual nature of the ceramic, being the only highly fired stoneware produced in the Middle East, together with the very thick walls, would indicate an unusually dedicated function that only existed between the 10th and 14th century. Although incendiary devices are well-known in this period, the properties of sphero-conical vessels would suggest an explosive function but there is actually no evidence for gunpowder in the Middle East at this time. However, all the components of gunpowder are well-attested, and it was certainly known in China. The ancient Middle Eastern weapon known as Greek Fire has been purported to contain many of the components of incendiary devices or explosives but none of these have any been confirmed or identified. Archaeological chemistry has been applied to a set of sphero-conical vessel fragments from the 11th century, Jerusalem. The results of this research will be presented here and the interpretation of the analysis maintains the possibility of weaponry.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

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