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Typology refers to the classification of archaeological artefacts according to their similarities, and are usually named according to specified periods, regions or sites e.g. "Romano-British" or La Tene III. Typology is divided according to function (swords, ceramics, etc.) and sub-divided into "morphology" (its shape), "technology" (method of construction), and "constitution" (of what was it made?).
Some typologies (though not all) are arranged chronologically and can be described according to changes through time in technology (evolutionary seriation), or through time according to changes in shape or decoration (stylistic seriation).
PETROLOGY - The characterisation of the fabric of ceramics according to the distinguishing features of its clay via (a) visual inspection of its mineral inclusions, or (b) petrological microscopy, when a thin section of the clay is sawn off and examined through a microscope to reveal the different minerals.
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS- When the chemical make-up of the clay is revealed to give an accurate pinpoint as to the source of the clay, sometimes to an individual clay bed.
Definitions courtesy of Dr. David Gibbins, University of Liverpool
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