This paper refers to recent work on surface textures in the geological sciences relevant to pottery characterization and presents results on a small pilot study of Beaker and Peterborough Ware excavated at Stainsby in Lincolnshire, England. Two methods, both involving hydrogen peroxide treatment, are recommended for the extraction of inclusions from small samples of friable prehistoric pottery. Finer inclusions retained on 63 and 125 mum mesh sieves predominate, with a few grains retained at 300 mum. The grains were examined in a scanning electron microscope and the frequency of occurrence of the commonest textures (conchoidal fracture, flat cleavage planes, upturned plates, V-shaped depressions, and the precipitation of silica) were recorded after styudy of the micrographs. No significant differences were found bewteen the 63 and 125 mum distribtutions and a significant difference was established between the samples from the two pottery traditions when the data for the different size fractions were combined.