Analysis of Minoan white pigments used on pottery from Palaikastro

Swann, C.P.; Ferrence, Susan C.; Betancourt, Phlip P

doi:10.1016/s0168-583x(99)00808-3

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…More recently, the use of other spectroscopic techniques has been developed, among others micro-Raman spectroscopy [8,[17][18][19][20][21], X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) [15][16][17]21], X-ray absorption (XAS and XANES) [5,22], particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) [23] and laserinduced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) [24]. On the methodological side the interest in applying such spectroscopic techniques is mainly related to the possibility of a non-destructive and/or compound-specific analysis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A non-destructive spectroscopic study of the decoration of archaeological pottery: from matt-painted bichrome ceramic sherds (southern Italy, VIII-VII B.C.) to an intact Etruscan cinerary urn

Bruni

Guglielmi

Foglia

et al. 2018

Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectros

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A study is presented based on the use of entirely non-destructive spectroscopic techniques to analyze the chemical composition of the painted surface layer of archaeological pottery. This study aims to define both the raw materials and the working technology of ancient potters. Energy-dispersive Xray analysis, micro-Raman spectroscopy, visible and near infrared (NIR) diffuse reflection spectroscopy and external reflection Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were applied to matt-painted bichrome pottery sherds (VIII-VII century B.C.) from the site of Incoronata near Metaponto in southern Italy. Two different raw materials, ochre and iron-rich clay, were recognized for the red decoration, while the dark areas resulted to have been obtained by the so-called manganese black technique. In any case, it was demonstrated that the decoration was applied before firing, in spite of its sometimes grainy aspect that could suggest a post-firing application. For the samples with a more sophisticated decorative pattern a red/black/white polychromy was recognized, as the lighter areas correspond to an "intentional white" obtained by the firing of a calcium-rich clay. Reflection spectroscopy in the visible-NIR and mid-IR as well as micro-Raman spectroscopy were then employed to characterize the decoration of an intact ceramic urn from the Etruscan town of Chiusi, evidencing a post-firing painting based on the use of red ochre, carbon black and lime, possibly imitating the "fresco" technique used in wall paintings.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A non-destructive spectroscopic study of the decoration of archaeological pottery: from matt-painted bichrome ceramic sherds (southern Italy, VIII-VII B.C.) to an intact Etruscan cinerary urn

Bruni

Guglielmi

Foglia

et al. 2018

Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectros

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“…In addition, two samples (Nos. 40 and 43) that according to NAA analyses are attributed to a local (Kynos) provenance (personal communication with Dr. Mommsen) 5 fall within the major islands of Figs. 5d and 6b.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…S3a). 5 Yet, the fact that in all samples they have been used as substrates for darker decorations may not be a coincidence. As has already been noted, the majority of the dark/red decorative layers are of moderate quality as they are characterized by relatively enhanced Ca and rather low Fe content, along with moderate Al 2 O 3 /SiO 2 ratios (Table II, Fig.…”

Section: Decorative Layersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this framework, white or white-yellowish patterns were formed by spreading on the pot's surface substances such as calcium-rich and/or magnesium-rich clays, talc, and kaolin. 4–6 Red ochres and fine textured, iron-rich clays were encountered for the red decorations, as the iron they contain is converted to hematite (α-Fe 2 O 3 ) during firing under oxidizing conditions. 4 Black hues could be achieved by using carbon-based pigments, clays with enhanced presence of manganese (umbra/umber type), or pyrolusite (MnO 2 )-rich raw materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Kynos Through Time: Decorated Pottery Sherds from Eleven Strata of a Homeric Greek Site

et al. 2018

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Excavations at the Kynos settlement, a Homeric site and the home of an early school of key Greek pictorial pottery painting, revealed extensive remains of several chronological horizons which continuously span the period from Middle Helladic (∼2100 BC) to Byzantine times (330 AD onwards), along with thousands of decorated sherds. The scope of the present study is the exploration of the technological traits of this pottery, which would contribute substantially to the archaeological understanding of the site. Samples from a sizeable assembly of decorated sherds were studied by means of analytical techniques, i.e., scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analyzer, micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF), and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). Results indicate that the dark decorations have been achieved by versions of the iron reduction (IRe) technique using mostly materials identical to those of the red decorations, while for the white decorations contrast-enhancing Ca-Mg-enriched clays were used. All coexisting red and dark hues reflect similar compositions while the color difference is due to the thicker application of the darker decorations, which are thus not affected by the last oxidative firing stage of the IRe technique. X-ray fluorescence analysis focusing on several clay-origin markers shows that only a minority of samples is of non-local character and continuity in Kynos pottery tradition, at least as far as raw materials is suggested. Some of the local body-clays exhibit a puzzling enhanced level of Ni, Cu, and Zn at a nearly fixed ratio. Finally, we find that XRF may provide valuable nondestructive analysis in the case of fine pottery decorative layers of cultural significance.

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“…For white decoration, clays rich in calcium or/and magnesium were widely in use (Swann et al . 2000; Ferrence et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decorated Archaic Pottery From the Heracles Sanctuary at Thebes: A Materials, Technology and Provenance Study*

et al. 2012

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Forty-seven decorated samples of Archaic pottery excavated at a Heracles sanctuary (Thebes, Boeotia) were studied through a combined surface and body approach, using non-destructive techniques. Most of the samples were archaeologically classified as Theban/Boeotian, others as Corinthian and a few as possibly Euboean. The techniques employed were optical microscopy and SEM-EDAX (micromorphology and compositional analysis of the surfaces) and XRF for the analysis of the ceramic body. The results provided information on the technological level of the collected pottery as well as on the relation of the chemistry and micromorphology of the pigments, aimed at assisting provenance studies.

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Analysis of Minoan white pigments used on pottery from Palaikastro

Cited by 15 publications

References 4 publications

A non-destructive spectroscopic study of the decoration of archaeological pottery: from matt-painted bichrome ceramic sherds (southern Italy, VIII-VII B.C.) to an intact Etruscan cinerary urn

A non-destructive spectroscopic study of the decoration of archaeological pottery: from matt-painted bichrome ceramic sherds (southern Italy, VIII-VII B.C.) to an intact Etruscan cinerary urn

Kynos Through Time: Decorated Pottery Sherds from Eleven Strata of a Homeric Greek Site

Decorated Archaic Pottery From the Heracles Sanctuary at Thebes: A Materials, Technology and Provenance Study*

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