Non-destructive screening methodology based on ED-XRF for the classification of medieval and post-medieval archaeological ceramics

Abstract

Compositional analysis of ceramics plays a crucial role in Archaeology because following the proper methodology, it enables to obtain knowledge about past human behavior. In this regard, X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF) involves promising possibilities on the non-destructive analysis of pottery. Nonetheless, in comparison to traditionally employed techniques such as ICP-MS or NAA, there are several limitations to overcome (e.g. limits of detection, precision, accuracy, etc.). The goal of this work was to develop a non-destructive multi-point strategy based on ED-XRF and, subsequently, assess to what extent a destructively obtained classification by ICP-MS can be reproduced by the one obtained non-destructively. The experiment was applied to a set of 47 representative Medieval and post-Medieval ceramics from the Iberian Peninsula corresponding to 4 archaeological sites. The results from both methods were explored statistically (HCA and PCA) and showed that the classification obtained non-destructively achieved a high-level of correspondence with the one obtained by ICP-MS. Thus, the screening potential of the methodology was demonstrated. Likewise, factors involved in the geochemical characterization such as instrumental parameters, concentration ranges of these ceramics typologies, their heterogeneity and the role of the ubiquitous lead glazes were addressed.