The ceramics of Malpaís of Zacapu, Michoacán, Mexico, during the Early and Middle Postclassic periods (900-1450 AD): Micro-chemical characterization of surface paintings

E. Jadot, N. Schiavon, M. Manso

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Tarascan ceramic sherds from two Postclassical archaeological sites (900-1450 AD) at the Malpaís of Zacapu, Michoacán, Mexico, were investigated by combining Back-Scattered Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (BSEM-EDS), μ-X-Ray Diffractometry (μ-XRD), μ-X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (μ-XRF) and μ-Raman Spectroscopy. These sherds are famous for their forms and decorations although the composition of its raw materials remains so far unknown and focused only on the composition of the ceramic paste. For the purpose of surface decoration characterization, the pigments used in slips and paintings were identified as hematite, magnetite, amorphous carbon, graphite and lignite. Furthermore chemical and molecular structure determination allowed the identification of technological aspects such as the firing temperatures and atmospheres used in ceramics production.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10-16
Number of pages7
JournalSpectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy
Volume119
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2016

Keywords

  • BSEM-EDS
  • Tarascan ceramics
  • μ-Raman
  • μ-XRD
  • μ-XRF

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