Celadon and whiteware shards excavated from three sites of the earliest origin, Yongin Seo-ri Jungdeok Village, Siheung Bangsan-dong, Yeoju Jungam-ri, are analyzed for their composition and microstructural characteristics. Several scientific and techn...
Celadon and whiteware shards excavated from three sites of the earliest origin, Yongin Seo-ri Jungdeok Village, Siheung Bangsan-dong, Yeoju Jungam-ri, are analyzed for their composition and microstructural characteristics. Several scientific and technological parameters were obtained about the ceramic wares produced during the founding stage of the porcelain industry. Except a slightly higher proportion of flux content, the chemical composition of body and glaze are similar to the representative composition of Korean ceramics in general, which are made chiefly with porcelain stone. These early wares appear so diverse in quality and their glaze color that it is often difficult to categorize them as celadon or whiteware. However, the composition difference was clear; although the main oxides were basically present in the same amount, the oxides of Fe2O3 and TiO2 that are responsible for glaze color were present in much smaller amount in whiteware. Celadon and whiteware were most likely fired together in same kilns to the temperature of 1050±50℃. While celadon sherds were vitrified either properly or slightly under-fired, many whiteware sherds were inadequately vitrified, some severely so. Therefore, ideal firing temperature may be considered as 1150±50℃. The crystals of diamond and acicular shapes that are uniquely observed in many of the shards from all three kiln sites contain unusually high amount of P2O5 and MgO.