Characterization of pre-Columbian artefacts in situ through handheld portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry: the case of ceramics from the Mochica site of San José de Moro (Peru)

Abstract

Abstract:The famous archaeological site of San José de Moro (SJM) located in the Jequetepeque Valley (JV) represents one of the best-preserved pre-Columbian Mochica cemeteries uncovered along the north coast of Peru. SJM was a regional ritual centre where elites and the general population of all JV met to celebrate ceremonial events. Its role as a place of regional integration and coordination continued long after the disappearance of the Mochica and SJM was continuously occupied throughout the Late Mochica Period (8th-9th c. AD) and into the Transitional Period (9th-10th c. AD). Even though the abandonment of Mochica traditions in SJM (funerary practices and ceramic styles) appears quite rapid, SJM was constantly occupied whereby local traditions were being reshaped. During this time various styles of ritual ceramics from different traditions (Mochica, Cajamarca and Wari) were buried within ceremonial and funerary contexts. This research involves archaeometric studies of excavated painted diagnostic ceramic sherds representing four distinctive pre-Columbian typologies present at this site-Mochica fineline bichrome, Mochica fineline polychrome, coastal Cajamarca and Highland Cajamarca ceramics. For this study handheld portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (HHpXRF) instrumentation was operated in situ in order to (1) perform non-destructive trace element analysis (2) to assess if Cajamarca ceramics were further elaborated using the same raw materials employed by the Mochica potters of SJM, and (3) to establish whether or not Mochica and Cajamarca ceramics were truly technological markers in the lower part of the Jequetepeque valley.

ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF PIGMENTS IN THE CERAMIC HUACO “THROAT-CUTTER WARRIOR WITH TROPHY” USING X-RAY FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY

“…In the results obtained with the Moche portrait huaco (Table 2), the BF presents 14823 ppm of Zn, meanwhile the other pigments don´t go over 589 ppm (red). The presence of Zinc, in Moche ceramic fragments, has already been recently reported [21]. In ceramics, Zinc oxide produces certain white flashes, and affects the color of a coating´s other constituting elements [39].…”

“…Del Solar (2016) used a hand-portable X-ray fluorescence equipment (pXRF), to evaluate fragments of bichrome and polychrome ceramic. He focused on the K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ga, As, Rb, Sr and Y [21] elements, and found the presence of Calcium, in the ceramics´ body, and that of Zn, in all of them. The latter had not been previously reported.…”

Multi-Technique Diagnostic Analysis of Plasters and Mortars from the Church of the Annunciation (Tortorici, Sicily)

“…For both methodologies, the development of mobile instrumentation is becoming available to the community to analyze art objects directly in situ [7,[9][10][11][12].…”

Geochemical insight during archaeological geophysical exploration through in situ X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry

“…The use of field-portable XRF spectrometers is reported for archaeological applications (e.g. Del Solar Valarde, Kinis, Chapoulie, Joannes-Boyau, & Castillo, 2016;Fernandes, van Os, & Huisman, 2013;Sepúlveda et al, 2015;Shugar, 2013) but seldom using a sampling strategy consistent with standard geophysical survey (i.e. spot samples are considered, rather than systematically-defined areas and/or transects).…”