Combined XRF‐SEM analysis of varnished pottery: the case of Syracuse and Adrano (Sicily) archaelogical finds

Abstract

Micro-destructive and non-destructive X-Ray fluorescence techniques and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energydispersive spectrometry have been applied for the analysis of ten samples of Hellenistic black-varnished pottery, coming from archaeological excavations in Syracuse and Adrano (South Italy, Sicily). Micro-morphological and compositional investigations, together with statistical data processing, have shown several differences among the varnishes of the specimen found in the two sites. In particular, Syracuse varnishes are characterised by a more homogeneous composition and well-defined raw materials, whereas Adrano samples show a higher variability, probably linked to the use of different raw materials and the poorer quality of the varnish as well. The obtained results attest that, as Syracuse black pottery is concerned, the production technique is at an advanced level, whereas Adrano manufacture seems to be less specialised.

A new nondestructive approach to chemical analysis of potsherds using an X‐ray fluorescence microscope: Case study about the past pottery manufacture in the Yaeyama Islands

“…Recently, mapping analysis of clayware texture using scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X‐ray (SEM‐EDX) microscopy was reported in pottery analysis, producing high magnification images of the ceramic microstructure for mineralogical analysis. However, these techniques are also destructive as they require thin samples, making it unsuitable for direct measurement of potsherd surface. Portable XRF enables nondestructive chemical analysis and is a useful instrument for on‐site field research of archeological material, but this method has problems arising from atmospheric conditions and manual measurement that negatively affect quantitativity and accuracy.…”

Evidence for an unorthodox firing sequence employed by the Berlin Painter: deciphering ancient ceramic firing conditions through high-resolution material characterization and replication

“…Raman spectroscopy, however, does not have equal sensitivity to all the mineralogical phases that might be present in ceramics. 7,18,[28][29][30][31] In particular, although numerous diffraction studies 7,[32][33][34][35] have reported the presence of hercynite in ceramics, the detection of pure hercynite with Raman spectroscopy has never been reported in the characterization of ancient pottery. The Raman spectrum of hercynite included in the RUFF project database 36 is the only published spectrum found.…”