Sourcing of Ancient Pottery by Non-Destructive Analysis I

Abstract

The non-destructive analysis of ancient pottery sherds (Haji and Sue) were done by means of energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The results were compared with those obtained by destructive (powdered and pressed) analyses of the same samples. The carbon and natural glaze attached to the vessel surfaces had significant effects on the analytical data, but these effects were minimized by measuring the surface of optimum condition. The effect of surface geometry of the pottery was also examined. Non-destructive analysis by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is expected to be useful for the sourcing of ancient pottery, assuming that sourcing them would have been possible by using powdered samples