CHARACTERIZATION OF REPRESENTATIVE ANCIENT POTTERIES: CHEMICAL, MINERALOGICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES

This paper explores the characterization of six potsherd samples from Udayagiri, India. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray system (SEM-EDX) were used for the determination of the mineralogical, chemical and microstructural analysis of potsherd samples. RO, R2O3 and RO2 were deduced from chemical composition data using Seger molecular formula. Present study also emphasis on the investigation of different methodical approach in terms of firing temperature, clay mineral type and tempering material in the pottery making process of that era. The uses of a siliceous or non-calcareous raw material are probably related to the specific utilization of the pottery in ancient time. The presence of specific minerals in the pottery matrix indicates the practice of local clay mineral. The flux amount reflects of higher firing temperatures, while clay composition provides the information to understand production methodology. The tempering materials in all the samples can be observed in morphological images. The obtained results also showed that non-calcareous clay minerals were used for pottery production and potsherds were firing between the temperatures from 600 to 900 degrees C.