X-Ray, Synchrotron and Mass-Spectrometric Methods for the Study of Ceramic Objects of Cultural Heritage

Abstract

Fragments of stamped amphorae (south Pontic (Sinope, III–I BC) and Mediterranean (Thasos, IV–III BC, and, presumably, Chios, III–II BC)), found in excavations on the Crimean Peninsula, have been investigated using X-ray diffraction, generalized semiquantitative X-ray fluorescence analysis, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The data obtained have been subjected to comparative analysis. A comparison of the mineralogical and elemental compositions of samples has revealed the characteristic distinctions between the products fabricated at different ancient pottery centers.