Ceramophile insects as bioperturbation agents in archaeology

Ancient ceramics (pottery, earthenware, terracotta, and glazed ceramics) are among the most enduring remnants of past human cultures. Their mineral content (clays, inclusions, temper, and glazes) means that they often survive in contexts where organic materials do not. However, this durability does not render ceramics invulnerable. Among the lesser-studied threats to ceramics are insects. This paper examines, for the first time, how insects contribute to damage to ancient ceramics through both direct and indirect mechanisms, and it describes direct damage observed on 2,400–2,200-year-old ceramics. Understanding the interactions between insect activity and ceramics is important for multiple reasons: conserving museum artefacts, correctly interpreting archaeological surfaces and residues, avoiding the misinterpretation of marks or stains, and improving preventive conservation in storage, display, and excavation settings. The paper also assesses conservation strategies to mitigate insect-related damage. Due to these recently discovered cases, new terminology ceramophile insects and ceramophilia are introduced.