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Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Oxygen as a Possible New Tool for Estimating Firing Temperatures of Ancient Pottery
Author(s) -
Nissenbaum Arie,
Killebrew Ann
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
israel journal of chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.908
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1869-5868
pISSN - 0021-2148
DOI - 10.1002/ijch.199500020
Subject(s) - pottery , isotopes of oxygen , calcite , chemistry , carbonate , isotopes of carbon , mineralogy , carbon fibers , stable isotope ratio , isotope , analytical chemistry (journal) , archaeology , environmental chemistry , total organic carbon , nuclear chemistry , materials science , composite material , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , composite number , history
The ratios of the stable isotopes of carbon ( 13 C/ 12 C) and oxygen ( 18 O/ 16 O) in calcite in clays that contain carbonate and that were fired at temperatures between 500 and 700 °C displayed a good correlation with the firing temperature for both isotopes. The isotopic composition indicated that the original carbonate was either completely decomposed or that it exchanged with environmental CO 2 to obliterate the original isotopic signature. The isotopic effects seem to be kinetically controlled. The isotope thermometer is used to compare refiring temperatures of pottery which was fired under controlled conditions. The differences between calculated and actual temperatures did not exceed 132 °C and in most cases was about 50 °C or less. Isotopic analysis of pottery from Tel Miqne‐Ekron and Deir el Balah, dated to the 13th–12th centuries BC, gave an average ancient firing temperature of about 600 °C. If shown to be of general validity, then perhaps this technique can be used also for estimating preparation temperatures of ancient mortar, especially when preserved in dry climates where later changes would be minimized.