Ceramics of the Ottoman period from Sremska Mitrovica (Serbia): classification, morphology, and technology

This dataset contains information on archaeological ceramics from Sremska Mitrovica (Serbia), dated to the second half of the 17th century (Ottoman period). Sremska Mitrovica is a city located on the Sava River, in the Srem region. Between 1526 and 1718, Mitrovica was a regional centre in the northern part of the Ottoman Empire. Ceramics presented here were found in two pits during recent rescue excavations at the street Stari Šor 91A (the geographical coordinates 44°58'20.94"N, 19°36'32.94"E), conducted by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments Sremska Mitrovica (Lučić 2025, 23). This archaeological study of ceramics was conducted in August 2025 at the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments in Sremska Mitrovica. It aimed to classify, quantify, identify technological traits, and document ceramics from closed and well-defined contexts. The study integrated the macroscopic inspection of ceramics and the microscopic recordings of macro-fabrics. This dataset offers the first insight into the ceramic consumption of Ottoman Mitrovica. Furthermore, the observed variability set the base for sampling for scientific analysis, aiming to reconstruct the ceramic production technology and provenance. The study of Sremska Mitrovica’s ceramics is part of the DANUBE MSCA-PF project that addresses connectivity along the Danube, Sava, and Drava rivers during the Ottoman period. This is the first out of several datasets that will be published for sites included in DANUBE. Dataset Structure This dataset includes several files and folders. Table 1 lists all ceramic vessels found in pits 6 and 11. Each vessel (coded as SMxx) is assigned to a ceramic ware (e.g. Monochrome Glazed Ware) and functional form (e.g. bowl). Furthermore, each vessel is described according to modelling technique (e.g. wheel-throwing), colour (Munsell notation), diagnostic fragments (e.g. rim), measurements (diameters of rims and bases as well as wall thicknesses), decoration (e.g. slips and glazes) and base details (e.g. high foot base). The remaining columns (P-R) in Table 1 provide information on available illustrations, which are stored as individual files in three separate folders: Photographs of ceramics, Drawings of ceramics, Cross sections of ceramics. Table 2 presents description of the main ceramic wares. Wares are defined by traits of macro-fabrics, decorative styles, and modelling techniques (see the section Methods). The folder ‘Photographs of ceramics’ contains images of all sherds identified as individual ceramic vessels in Table 1. File names combine the vessel code and image type (e.g. SMxx_photo). The folder ‘Drawings of ceramics’ includes all available drawings prepared for representative pottery types. File names combine the vessel code and image type (SMxx_drawing). The folder ‘Cross sections of ceramics’ contain images of ceramic cross sections recorded using a portable USB microscope Dino-Lite AM4113. Images were taken on fresh breaks, where applicable, without prior preparation. File names combine the vessel code and image type (SMxx_cross section).