Alterations of Na, K and Rb concentrations in Mycenaean pottery and a proposed explanation using X-ray diffraction

One of the most important reference groups for Mycenaean pottery is the Mycenae/Berbati (MB). In several studies, a second group has been identified (MBKR). The chemical compositions were similar to MB, but with important differences in the Na, K and Rb contents. The present study suggests that these differences are due to selective alteration and contamination processes that are indirectly determined by the original firing temperature. Therefore, groups MB and MBKR should be considered as a single reference group.

Els materials arqueològics del jaciment ibèric de la Serra de l'Espasa (Capçanes, Priorat) dipositats al Museu d'Arqueologia Salvador Vilaseca de Reus: evidències d'un santuari?

En aquest treball presentem una revisió del jaciment ibèric de la Serra de l"Espasa (Capçanes, Priorat) a partir de l"estudi, amb criteris actualitzats, del material conservat en el Museu Salvador Vilaseca de Reus. Els resultats són contrastats amb les darreres investigacions arqueològiques desenvolupades en el curs inferior de l"Ebre. A l"últim, s"analitzen les possibles interpretacions d"aquest conjunt, en particular la hipotètica existència d"un santuari, i les seves implicacions en el procés de romanització en aquesta zona

Technology transfer at the periphery of the Mycenaean world: the cases of Mycenaean pottery found in central Macedonia (Greece) and the Plain of Sybaris (Italy)

The study of technology transfer in pottery production to the periphery of the Mycenaean world has been addressed by considering two different areas, southern Italy and central Macedonia. Technological features such as ceramic paste, decoration and firing have been determined for different ceramic groups established according to provenance criteria. The studies of technology and provenance have been performed following an archaeometric approach, using neutron activation analysis, petrographic analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results have revealed the existence of two different models. On the one hand, southern Italy seems to exhibit a more organized pottery production, which follows a Mycenaean-like technology, while in central Macedonia production is probably more varied, being based in part on the technology of the local tradition.

Standardisation of elemental analytical techniques applied to provenance studies of archaeological ceramics: an inter laboratory calibration study

Chemical analysis is a well-established procedure for the provenancing of archaeological ceramics. Various analytical techniques are routinely used and large amounts of data have been accumulated so far in data banks. However, in order to exchange results obtained by different laboratories, the respective analytical procedures need to be tested in terms of their inter-comparability. In this study, the schemes of analysis used in four laboratories that are involved in archaeological pottery studies on a routine basis were compared. The techniques investigated were neutron activation analysis (NAA), X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). For this comparison series of measurements on different geological standard reference materials (SRM) were carried out and the results were statistically evaluated. An attempt was also made towards the establishment of calibration factors between pairs of analytical setups in order to smooth the systematic differences among the results.

Chemical characterization of tin-lead glazed ceramics from Aragon (Spain) by neutron activation analysis

Majolica pottery was the most characteristic tableware produced in Spain during the Medieval and Renaissance periods. A study of the three main production centers in the historical region of Aragon during Middle Ages and Renaissance was conducted on a set of 71 samples. The samples were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), and the resulting data were interpreted using an array of multivariate statistical procedures. Our results show a clear discrimination among different production centers allowing a reliable provenance attribution of ceramic sherds from the Aragonese workshops.

Chemical and mineralogical alteration of ceramics from a Late Bronze Age kiln at Kommos, Crete: the effect on the formation of a reference group

The formation of reference groups comprises an important procedure in chemical provenance studies of archaeological pottery. Material from ancient kilns is thought to be especially suitable for reference groups, as it comprises a definite unit of past production. Pottery from the Late Minoan IA kiln excavated at Kommos, Crete was analysed in order to produce a reference group in this important area of Minoan ceramic production. The samples were characterized by a combination of techniques providing information on the chemistry, mineralogy and microstructure of the ceramic body. Initially, the study was unable to establish, in a straightforward manner, a chemical reference group. Different ceramic pastes and a range of selective alterations and contaminations, affected by variable firing temperatures and burial environment, were shown to be responsible for the compositional variability. Procedures are described to compensate for such alterations and the perturbations in the data that they produce.

Medidas dos níveis de radônio em diferentes tipos de ambientes internos na região da Baixada Santista, SP

OBJETIVO: Exposições a altos níveis do gás radioativo radônio podem causar câncer de pulmão e, conseqüentemente, o conhecimento da concentração deste gás em ambientes internos é importante, do ponto de vista de proteção radiológica, para a população de um modo geral. Neste trabalho realizaram-se monitorações passiva e integrada de radônio em alguns tipos de ambientes fechados na região da Baixada Santista, SP, tais como túneis, galpão de fertilizantes, "shopping center", lojas de cerâmica e residências, com o objetivo de se avaliar os níveis de concentração existentes nestes locais. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: As medidas de concentração de radônio foram realizadas utilizando a técnica do registro de traços de partículas alfa em folhas plásticas de Makrofol E, na geometria de copo fechado ("cup method"). RESULTADOS: Os teores de radônio encontrados nos ambientes internos estudados neste trabalho variaram entre 17 e 263 Bq/m³, em razoável acordo com os valores divulgados na literatura por outros autores para ambientes similares. CONCLUSÃO: De modo geral, os resultados obtidos estão abaixo dos limites máximos recomendados pela Comissão Internacional de Proteção Radiológica (ICRP), não necessitando, portanto, que sejam implementadas ações de intervenção nos locais estudados.

Las cerámicas de cocción reductora del yacimiento de L’Esquerda (Roda de Ter, Barcelona)

Este estudio se ha centrado en la caracterización macroscópica y mediante microscopio óptico de dos grupos de cerámica de cocción reductora del yacimiento de l’Esquerda (Roda de Ter, Barcelona): las cerámicas grises de la costa catalana, de época ibérica, y las cerámicas grises medievales. El objetivo era doble: por un lado, identificar producciones y su posible procedencia, y por el otro, intentar establecer un método de clasificación que permita la posterior clasificación del resto del material cerámico del yacimiento. Muestras de otros tipos materiales de posible producción local han servido como material de referencia dada la falta de evidencias arqueológicas de hornos. Los resultados han permitido identificar dos fragmentos importados, uno de ellos desde Italia, mientras que el resto del material es muy homogéneo y no presenta elementos claros que indiquen una producción no local.

Caracterizacion por difraccion de rayos-X, analisis termico y espectroscopia Raman de los cristales mixtos Li(NH4)(1-x)KxSO4

En este trabajo se estudia la preparació n y caracterizació n de las fases de los cristales mixtos de f órmula Li(NH4)1-xKxSO4. La caracterizacói n se ha efectuado por aná lisis té rmico con DSC y ATD, difracci ón de rayos-X sobre polvo cristalino con temperatura variable, difracci n de rayos-X sobre muestra monocristalina a temperatura variable a fin de determina su estructura cristalina y por espectroscop"a Raman a temperatura variable. Se han obtenido dos tipos de fases. Una soluci n s lida con 0.94 < x < 1 que presenta los mismos tipos estructurales que el LiKSO4, pero seg n el m todo de cristalizaci n pueden aparecer nuevas fases que no presenta el LiKSO4. El segundo tipo de compuesto tiene por f rmula Li(NH4)0.53K0.47SO4, el cual presenta una estructura hexagonal con par metro a » 3 aLiKSO4. Este compuesto tiene por encima de la temperatura ambiente una sola transici n a 463K.

Estudio del sistema Li2SO4-Na2SO4. Diagrama de fases y caracterizacion del LiNaSO4

Se presenta un estudio exhaustivo del diagrama de fase del sistema binario Li2SO4-Na2SO4. El diagrama de fases se determinó mediante termo-difractometría de rayos-X en muestras de polvo y calorimetría ATD. Se obtiene una nueva fase de fórmula Li2-xNaxSO4, con 1 ¿ x ¿ 1.22. La estructura cristalina de ß-LiNaSO4 se determinó por difracción de rayos-X sobre un monocristal. Este estudio muestra que los cristales usualmente se maclan cuando el crecimiento es por solución, lo cual explica la baja polarización espontánea. Se explica la dispersión Raman de los compuestos Li2SO4, Na2SO4 y LiNaSO4, a partir de los datos estructurales. Las medidas experimentales se han efectuado a diferentes velocidades de calentamiento y enfriamiento.

Chemical characterization of tin-lead glazed pottery from the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands: initial steps toward a better understanding of Spanish Colonial pottery in Americas

Majolica pottery was the most characteristic tableware produced in Europe during the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Because of the prestige and importance attributed to this ware, Spanish majolica was imported in vast quantities into the Americas during the Spanish Colonial period. A study of Spanish majolica was conducted on a set of 186 samples from the 10 primary majolica production centres on the Iberian Peninsula and 22 sherds from two early colonial archaeological sites on the Canary Islands. The samples were analysed by neutron activation analysis (NAA), and the resulting data were interpreted using an array of multivariate statistical approaches. Our results show a clear discrimination between different production centres, allowing a reliable provenance attribution of the sherds from the Canary Islands.