Mechanical performance of ceramics can be measured by various techniques. Conventional testing usually requires samples of large size and specific geometries and for this reason cannot by usually applied directly to ancient pottery. However, Hertzian strength and wear resistance can be measured on the same specimen, of small size, and it is shown that these tests can describe, to a good approximation, the basic ceramic mechanical properties (strength and toughness). Therefore, these tests are proposed for use on archaeological specimens. An application on Punic amphorae found in Corinth is presented.