Studies of ancient pottery fragments from Dobrudja region of Romania using neutron diffraction, tomography and Raman spectroscopy

Abstract

The phase composition and internal structure of several fragments of ancient ceramic amphorae discovered in archeological excavations in the Dobrudja region, Romania, have been studied using optical microscopy, neutron diffraction and tomography, and Raman spectroscopy. The good neutron radiography contrast between the constituent elements of the studied fragments, as well as the high penetration capability of neutron methods, allow performing non-destructive studies of such archeological items. The bulk phase composition of the amphora fragments and the spatial arrangement of the main components were determined. The nonuniform distribution of the clay and silicates phases was observed, the volume calculations of presumed silicates grains were done. The observed structural features of the studied ancient pottery fragments are explained within the assumption of different chemical processes, that took place during the firing of pottery.