Significance of Phosphate in Ceramic Bodies: discussion of paper by Bollong et al

The assertion that the phosphate content of ceramic is an established marker for the presence of residues of organic substances such as fats and blood (Bollong et al. , Direct dating and identity of fibre temper in pre-Contact Bushman (Basarwa) pottery, Journal of Archaeological Science 20, 41-55, 1993) is refuted. Phosphate is a common contaminant of buried pottery and may not be considered an indicator of function.