Prehistoric Anasazi ceramics studied by micro-Raman spectroscopy

✍ Scribed by Jana Striova; Cristiana Lofrumento; Angela Zoppi; Emilio Mario Castellucci

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2006
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 207 KB
• Volume: 37
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0377-0486
• DOI: 10.1002/jrs.1577

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

In this project, micro‐Raman (µ‐Raman) spectroscopy has been used as a means to investigate the pigments employed in decoration of Anasazi pottery. Analysis of Raman spectra revealed the presence of organic‐ (amorphous carbon), iron‐ and/or manganese‐based pigments in line with the known pictorial materials used by Anasazi people. The results were also complemented by studies employing a scanning electron microscope equipped with a microanalysis energy dispersive X‐ray detection (SEM/EDX) system, which proved helpful mainly while identifying the manganese‐based minerals (i.e. pyrolusite). Knowledge of the pigments augments our understanding of the materials favored by the different production centers and of the artistic skills of ceramic producers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.