Premium
X‐ray microanalysis discloses the secrets of ancient Greek and Roman potters
Author(s) -
Mirti Piero
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
x‐ray spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.447
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1097-4539
pISSN - 0049-8246
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4539(200001/02)29:1<63::aid-xrs409>3.0.co;2-f
Subject(s) - pottery , gloss (optics) , scanning electron microscope , art , ceramic , monochrome , archaeology , mineralogy , materials science , ancient history , geology , history , visual arts , optics , metallurgy , composite material , physics , coating
Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive detection of emitted x‐rays (SEM–EDX) may be useful in the study of ancient ceramic materials coated with glossy sintered slips. Backscattered and secondary electron images of fresh fractured or polished sections may give information on slip thickness and sintering degree and on slip‐to‐body contact features. EDX analysis of polished sections may disclose compositional features of slips and bodies stemming from a more or less appropriate selection and processing of clays. Insight may then be gained into the technological knowledge and skill of ancient potters. An account is given here of SEM–EDX investigations performed on Greek, late Hellenistic and Roman monochrome black or red gloss pottery. These shed light on the technological achievements of potters from different historical epochs and geographical areas of the ancient world. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.