Grenades or little vessels? archaeological and archaeometric data about the odd artefacts from the ancient born market (Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

In this communication, we present the archaeological and archaeometric results on a collection of 188 ceramic receptacles from the archaeological excavations carried out in the old Born market of Barcelona (Spain). The market was converted in a cultural centre and officially opened in September 2013. The centre’s key attraction is its archaeology which has been re-imagined to communicate the horrors following the fall of Barcelona to Bourbon siege during the Spanish War of Succession in 1714. These artefacts had been published in a former study as small vessels to sell products in little quantities. However, due to the scarce information on materials of similar shape and dimensions, their interpretation is not clear and need more investigation. The archaeological comparative study demonstrates that these small ceramic receptacles can be better interpreted as grenades. They had probably been prepared with the aim of using them in an extreme attempt of defence against the Bourbon attack. The complementary archaeometric investigation suggests that the assemblage is formed by a homogeneous production made with a calcareous clay from local marine sediments.