Micro scanning X-ray diffraction study of Gallo-Roman Terra Sigillata ceramics

The red glaze (slip) that characterizes the Terra Sigillata potteries, greatly contributed to their success during the Roman period. This feature can in fact be partially explained by the microstructure (crystalline phases and grain sizes) and the physico-chemistry (compositions) of the ceramics. In this paper, we describe how the technique of synchrotron micro scanning X-raydiffraction could contribute to the understanding of the elaboration process and origins of these ceramics. The small (micron) size of the X-raybeam coupled with the use of a sample scanning stage allows one to spatially resolve the distribution and other characteristics of the constitutive mineral phases.