Laboratories
Laboratory for the Analysis of Archaeological Ceramics and Raw Materials (LaKeS)
The Laboratory (LaKeS) conducts scientific research on archaeological materials, with a particular focus on ceramics and raw materials. Research is based on a multidisciplinary approach aimed at understanding ancient production technologies and raw material selection through macroscopic and technological analysis of materials, mineralogical and petrographic analysis, and the application of other analytical methods.
Within the Laboratory, research is planned and designed, samples are selected and prepared, analyses are carried out and results interpreted, alongside the continuous development of new methods and strategic partnerships to strengthen scientific and infrastructural capacity.
The Laboratory operates at the headquarters of the Institute of Archaeology (15 Jurjevska Street, Zagreb) and is equipped with instrumentation partly funded by the Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ project UIP-2020-02-3637).
Decision on the operation and scope of activities of the Laboratory
Laboratory Team
Head of the Laboratory:
Dr Andreja Kudelić, Senior Research Associate (archaeologist)
– responsible for scientific research, interpretation of analytical results and the development of laboratory activities.
Contact: andreja.kudelic@iarh.hr
Member:
Dr Natali Neral (geologist)
– collaborator in the application and interpretation of analytical methods within LaKeS.
Contact: natali.neral@iarh.hr
Core Activities
- research planning and definition of research questions
- macroscopic analysis and documentation of manufacturing and use-wear traces on archaeological ceramics
- fieldwork, including sampling of ceramics and raw materials
- sample selection and planning of analytical procedures in collaboration with external laboratories
- mineralogical and petrographic analysis of thin sections using optical microscopy (ceramic petrography)
- management of the Study Collection of archaeological and geological samples, including a dedicated digital database
- development of new methods, equipment and strategic partnerships to expand the Laboratory’s capacities
Laboratory Equipment
LaKeS is equipped with the following instrumentation:
- Petrographic microscope with polarising light and camera (Zeiss Axiolab 5 and Axiocam 208 color, CroRIS ID: 2640) – for mineralogical and petrographic analysis of thin sections
(acquired through HRZZ project UIP-2020-02-3637) - Computer and monitor – for data processing, analysis and interpretation
- Digital microscope (Dino-Lite, CroRIS ID: 2257) – for macroscopic examination and documentation of surface features
- Electric laboratory furnace (muffle furnace SNOL 13/LHM01/E5CC, CroRIS ID: 7346) – for thermal treatment of raw materials
The equipment is continuously upgraded in accordance with research needs, infrastructural conditions and applicable quality standards.
Study Collection of Archaeological and Geological Samples
LaKeS manages a Study Collection of archaeological and geological samples, which includes:
- archaeological samples (ceramics, mortar, etc.)
- geological raw material samples
- experimental samples
The collection serves as a reference base for scientific research, enabling comparative analyses and the long-term preservation and accessibility of samples for future studies. Samples prepared and analysed within LaKeS are permanently stored in the collection, comprising both a physical archive and a relational digital database.
Collaborators and Strategic Partners
LaKeS maintains active collaboration with national and international research institutions, specialised academic and independent laboratories, scientific projects, and experts in archaeometry, geosciences and related disciplines.
The Laboratory’s principal strategic partner is the Laboratory for the Analysis of Geological Materials (LaGEMA) at the Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb. This collaboration enables the preparation of thin sections, the application of additional analytical methods (e.g. XRPD, FT-IR, etc.), and the strengthening of interdisciplinary research as well as the networking of laboratories, equipment and expertise.
Cooperation Agreement RGNF–IARH
Research Output
The results of LaKeS activities are achieved through the use of specialised equipment and targeted analytical approaches and are disseminated through:
- scientific papers published in international and national journals
- presentations at scientific conferences
- participation in national and international research projects
- organisation of workshops, round tables and scientific meetings
- periodic research reports
Projects:
Technological Features and Cultural Practices in Prehistoric Pottery Traditions in Croatia (Croatian Science Foundation – UIP-2020-02-3637)
Between Reuse and Innovation: Understanding Micro-regional Settlement Strategies in Late Antiquity in the Eastern Adriatic – Re:Set (Croatian Science Foundation – IP-2024-05-6792)
Synergy of Diversity: Landscape Archaeology and Technological Traditions in Continental and Adriatic Croatia (SirAkt) (NextGeneration EU – National Recovery and Resilience Plan)
Transformations of Identity Through the Past (TIPS) (NextGeneration EU – National Recovery and Resilience Plan)
Scientific papers:
Kudelić, A., Sekelj Ivančan, T. 2025, Ceramics, People and Places: the Significance of Ceramics for the Study of Social Relations in the Middle Ages, in: Ceramics, People and Places: the Significance of Ceramics for the Study of Social Relations in the Middle Ages / Tkalčec, Tatjana; Sekelj Ivančan, Tajana; Belaj, Juraj et al. (ur.), Zagreb: Institut za arheologiju, 2025. 139-161.
Kudelić, A., Tkalčec, T., Neral, N. 2025, Clay, Craft, and Consumption: Technological and Functional Analysis of Late Medieval Ceramics from Vrbovec Castle, in: Ceramics, People and Places: the Significance of Ceramics for the Study of Social Relations in the Middle Ages / Tkalčec, Tatjana; Sekelj Ivančan, Tajana; Belaj, Juraj et al. (ur.). Zagreb: Institut za arheologiju, 2025. 387-415.
Kudelić, A., Sekelj Ivančan, T., Neral, N., Valent, I. 2025. Resilience of traditional pottery practices in the face of change: clay recipes and technological shifts in early medieval Southern Pannonia. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 17, 185; 1-22. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-025-02291-7
Neral, N., Kudelić, A., Maričić, A., Kovačević Zelić, B. 2025. Physical and mechanical properties of ceramics: insights into raw material selection in prehistoric pottery production in Croatia. Applied Clay Science, 274, 107859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2025.107859.
Kudelić, A., Neral, N. 2025. Selection of raw material through the history of pottery production in Istria (Croatia): Social implications of paste variability. Archaeological and anthropological sciences, 17, 67 (2025), 2-24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-025-02182-x
Kudelić, A., Miloglav, I., Neral, N. 2025. Unpuzzling the incrustation: Reconstruction of the technique of decorating Copper and Bronze Age pottery in Croatia. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 62, 105002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105002.
Kudelić, A., Kliškić, D., Neral, N., Marijan, M. 2024. Sirovina, tehnike i upotreba brončanodobne lončarije s nalazišta Dugiš u Otoku kod Sinja / Raw materials, techniques, and use of Bronze Age pottery from Dugiš site in Otok near Sinj. Annales Instituti Archaeologici, XX, 9–24. doi.org/10.33254/aia.20.1.1
Neral, N., Kudelić, A., Maričić, A., Mileusnić, M. 2024, Tracing the origin of raw materials used for the production of ancient ceramics: Case study of a multi-period archaeological sites in the Turopolje area (Continental Croatia), Geologica Croatica 77/3, 269-289. doi:10.4154/gc.2024.18
Neral, N., Kudelić, A., Maričić, Ana; Mileusnić, M. 2023. Pottery technology through time: Archaeometry of pottery and clayey raw material from the multi- period site in eastern Croatia, Rudarsko-geološko-naftni zbornik, 38 (2023), 63; 1-21 doi:10.17794/rgn.2023.2.1
Participation in scientific conferences:
Kudelić, A., Neral, N., Tresić Pavičić, D., Sirovica, F., Maričić, A., Marijan, M., Branković, D. 2025. Archaeology and Geology in Ceramic Studies: Towards an Integrated Framework for Interdisciplinary Pottery Technology Research in Croatia,13th International Scientific Conference Methodology and Archaeometry Zagreb, Hrvatska, 27.11.2025-28.11.2025
Neral, N., Kudelić, A., Maričić, A. 2025. Insights into Raw Material Selection in Prehistoric Pottery: Experimental Study of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Ceramics. Experimental Archaeology Conference 14, Curitiba, Brazil, 12.05.2025-16.05.2025
Kudelić, A., Neral, N., Miloglav, I. 2025. Reconstructing the Incrustation Technique: Experimental Insights into Post-Firing Decoration of Prehistoric Pottery. Experimental Archaeology Conference 14, Curitiba, Brazil, 12.05.2025-16.05.2025.
- – 05. 10. 2024. Neral, N., Kudelić, A., Quinn, P. Investigating raw materials and clay recipes for Bronze Age ceramic production on the Eastern Adriatic coast: multi-analytical approach, 8th ARCH_RNT In Memoriam Nikolaos Zacharias , 03 - 05 October 2024, Kalamata, Greece.
- – 31. 08. 2024. Kudelić, A., Neral, N. Persisting in the face of challenge: the choice of raw materials in prehistoric ceramic production along the Eastern Adriatic coast, 30th EAA Annual Meeting in Rome, 28 - 31 August 2024, Rome, Italy.
- – 31. 08. 2024. Neral, N., Kudelić, A., Quinn, P. Exploring the origins of grog with SEM-EDS: the Bronze age ceramics from Croatia, 30th EAA Annual Meeting in Rome, 28 - 31 August 2024, Rome, Italy.
- – 07. 06. 2024. Kudelić, A., Tkalčec, T. Technological and functional features of late medieval ceramic vessels from the Vrbovec castle in Klenovec Humski (NW Croatia), Ceramics, People and Places - The Significance of Ceramics for the Study of Social Relations in the Middle Ages, 9th International Scientific Conference on Mediaeval Archaeology of the Institute of Archaeology, Zagreb, Hrvatska.
- – 07. 06. 2024. Sekelj Ivančan, T., Kudelić, A., Neral, N., Valent, I. Archaeometry of ceramics from the second half of the 6th and the first half of the 7th century in Podravina – case study Torčec and Hlebine, Ceramics, People and Places - The Significance of Ceramics for the Study of Social Relations in the Middle Ages, 9th International Scientific Conference on Mediaeval Archaeology of the Institute of Archaeology, Zagreb, Hrvatska.
- – 6. listopada 2023. Neral, N., Kudelić, A. Pottery traditions and raw materials used for the ancient production of ceramics in Istria, Croatia. Young Researches in Archaeometry (YRA2023), Book of Abstracts, Hacıosmanoğlu, S., Solard, B., Rose, T. (Eds.), Tübingen, 48–48.
- – 4. listopada 2023. Neral, N., Kudelić, A., Maričić, A. Karakteristike sirovina korištenih u lončarskoj proizvodnji arheološke keramike: primjena analitičkih metoda (OM, XRPD, ICP-ES, ICP-MS). 7. Hrvatski geološki kongres (7HGK), Knjiga sažetaka, Fio Firi, K. (ur.), Poreč, 125–125.
30.08. – 2.09. 2023. Kudelić, A., Tresić Pavičić, D., Marijan, M. Challenges and methods of rescue excavation at Lower Cerovačka cave: Case study of the Bronze Age storage of valuable goods. 29th EAA Annual Meeting, Weaving Narratives, Abstract book, M. Karabáš, K. Kleinová (eds.), Belfast, 662–663.
30.08. – 2.09. 2023. Miloglav, I., Kudelić, A., Neral, N. The Manufacturing Process and Social Practice: The Story of White Paste Inlay. 29th EAA Annual Meeting, Weaving Narratives, Abstract book, M. Karabáš, K. Kleinová (eds.), Belfast, 912–913.
- svibnja 2023. Neral, N., Kudelić, A., Maričić, A. Karakteristike sirovina korištenih u lončarskoj proizvodnji arheološke keramike: primjena analitičkih metoda (OM, XRPD, ICP-MS), Dan doktoranada Rudarsko-geološko-naftnog fakulteta, Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Zagreb.
Round tables and workshops:
- prosinca 2023. Arheološki laboratorij III: Prapovijesna lončarija istočnojadranske obale i zaleđa
- prosinca 2022. Arheološki laboratorij: Analitičke metode u arheologiji, Okrugli stol i tematski seminar
- prosinca 2022. Radionica: Petrografija keramike
- prosinca 2021. Arheološki laboratorij: lončarija brončanog i starijeg željeznog doba
Periodic reports
