The aim of this short study by scanning electron microscopy of selected samples of pottery from Crete, late Bronze Age western Anatolia, Cyprus, etc., was to demonstrate the usefulness of the method in identifying the microfacies of pastes to classify their types ( book-shaped , slumping ), or in investigating the presence of certain elements such as microorganisms or minerals, or in obtaining very precise images to demonstrate a precise fact. The usefulness and limits of the method in providing information on ancient manufacturing techniques, the composition of varnishes, and the firing temperatures are also explained. A Cambridge scanning electron microscope is briefly described as is the technique used to prepare the sample for observation. -- AATA