Characterization of surface decorations in Prehispanic archaeological ceramics by Raman spectroscopy,FTIR, XRD and XRF

SILVIA A. CENTENO; WILLIAMS, VERONICA I

buenos aires

Conferencia; IRUG 9 (the 9th Biennal Conference of the Infrared and Raman); 2010

Non invasive Raman microspectroscopy, along with in situ XRD and XRF, and FTIR in the transmission mode, were used for a detailed identification of the materials present in the black, red, and white surface decorations in selected pottery wares from two Prehispanic archaeological sites in Northwest Argentina ca. 900 d. C- 1530 d.C). Manganese oxides were found to be the main components in most black decorations, while crystalline hematite and amorphous silicates were found to be present in all red and most white fired decorations. In fragments recovered from one site, a carbon-based black pigment was identified while gypsum was observed in the recessed areas of decorative surface incisions. Gypsum, potassium nitrate and halite, most likely deposited during burial, were observed on the surface of some of the fragments analyzed. The results are discussed in the context of the technological processes involved and are compared to compositions previously reported for decorations in ceramic objects from related sites.