A graphite-coated early Iron Age pot from Kristineberg, Malmö

Abstract

A sherd found at the Iron Age settlement of Kristineberg in Malmö, Scania, Sweden, carried remnants of an unusual silvery layer on the outer surface. It was suggested that this consisted of graphite, because of its macroscopic appearance and the existence of contemporary parallels on the continent. SEM analysis confirmed that the layer was pure carbon. Although organic carbon cannot be completely excluded, there were no other traces of use on the vessel and nothing to indicate coating or sealing of the vessel with materials such as tar or resin.