Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Mineralogical Characterization and Firing Temperature Delineation on Minoan Pottery, Focusing on the Application of Micro-Raman Spectroscopy

Grammatikakis, Ioannis E., Kyriakidis, Evangelos, Demadis, Konstantinos D., Cabeza Diaz, Aurelio, Leon-Reina, Laura (2019) Mineralogical Characterization and Firing Temperature Delineation on Minoan Pottery, Focusing on the Application of Micro-Raman Spectroscopy. Heritage, 2 (3). pp. 2652-2664. ISSN 2571-9408. (doi:10.3390/heritage2030163) (KAR id:76485)

PDF Publisher pdf
Language: English


Download this file
(PDF/2MB)
[thumbnail of heritage-02-00163-v2.pdf]
Preview
Request a format suitable for use with assistive technology e.g. a screenreader
PDF Author's Accepted Manuscript
Language: English

Restricted to Repository staff only

Contact us about this Publication
[thumbnail of manuscript.v9.pdf]
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/heritage2030163

Abstract

Ceramic objects in whole or in fragments usually account for the majority of findings in an archaeological excavation. Thus, through examination of the values these items bear, it is possible to extract important information regarding raw materials provenance and ceramic technology. For this purpose, either traditional examination protocols could be followed, focusing on the macroscopic/morphological characteristics of the ancient object, or more sophisticated physicochemical techniques are employed. Nevertheless, there are cases where, due to the uniqueness and the significance of an object of archaeological value, sampling is impossible. Then, the available analytical tools are extremely limited, especially when molecular information and mineral phase identification is required. In this context, the results acquired from a multiphase clay ceramic dated on Early Neopalatioal period ΜΜΙΙΙΑ-LMIA (1750 B.C.E.–1490 B.C.E.), from the Minoan Bronze Age site at Philioremos (Crete, Greece) through the application of Raman confocal spectroscopy, a non-destructive/ non-invasive method are reported. The spectroscopic results are confirmed through the application of X-ray microdiffraction and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Moreover, it is demonstrated how it is made possible through the application of micro-Raman spectroscopy to examine and collect crucial information from very small inclusions in the ceramic fabric. The aim of this approach is to develop an analytical protocol based on mRaman spectroscopy, for extracting firing temperature information from other ceramic finds (figurines) where due to their uniqueness sampling and analyses through other techniques is not possible. This information can lead to dating but also to firing kiln technology extrapolations that are very significant in archaeology.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.3390/heritage2030163
Uncontrolled keywords: micro-Raman; X-ray microdiffraction; Minoan; firing temperature; diopside; albite; orthoclase
Subjects: C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology
D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D51 Ancient History
D History General and Old World > DF Greece
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Arts and Humanities > School of Culture and Languages
Depositing User: Evangelos Kyriakidis
Date Deposited: 16 Sep 2019 09:27 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Jul 2023 13:08 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/76485 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Kyriakidis, Evangelos.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7057-0568
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.