Munsell colour notation in ceramic description: an experiment

Abstract

Archaeologists are making increased use of standardised colour descriptions for material they excavate and study, generally employing the Munsell colour system (Munsell 1966). Readings of soil colours are common practice on most excavations, where they may have significance (at least within small areas) for differentiating soil types. Elsewhere standard colour descriptions are found most frequently applied to pottery, where it is felt necessary to provide accurate descriptions of fabric, surfaces, or decoration.