Reverse engineering the ancient ceramic technology based on X-ray fluorescence spectromicroscopy
Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: We present results of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) microprobe analyses of ancient ceramic cross-sections aiming at deciphering the different firing protocols used for their production. Micro-focused XRF elemental mapping, Fe chemical mapping and Fe K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy were performed on pre-sigillata ceramics from southern Gaul, and terra Sigillata vessels from Italy and southern Gaul. Pieces from the different workshops and regions showed significant difference in the starting clay material, clay conditioning and kiln firing condition. By contrast, sherds from the same workshop exhibited more subtle differences and possible misfirings. Understanding the precise firing conditions and protocols would allow recreation of kilns for various productions. Furthermore, evolution and modification of kiln design would shed some light on how ancient potters devised solutions to diverse technological problems they encountered.
DOI: 10.1039/c0ja00212g
Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre d’Élaboration de Matériaux et d’Études Structurales, Université de Toulouse, École Nationale Supérieure de Mécanique et d'Aérotechnique, Institut Pprime, Université de Poitiers, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2122496530