Experimental XRD, FTIR, and EDX Analysis of Preclassic Maya Pottery of El Pilar
Author(s): Anabel Ford
Year: 2025
Summary
This is an abstract from the "Ceramics and Archaeological Sciences" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.
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Our experimental analyses of five Middle Preclassic Maya pottery sherds were performed using XRD, ATR-FTIR, and FESEM-EDX. The study indicated that the samples can be divided into two groups associated with ceramic paste types. Mars Orange sherds made up Group 1 and small jars made up Group 2 samples. XRD separated groups by quartz and calcite. FTIR identified an Si-O vibration peak of Quartz, Al-O-Al bending vibration peaks of Illite, a CO<sub>3</sub><sup>- </sup>peak of Calcite, and Fe-O bending of Hematite. This confirmed the presence of Quartz, Illite, and Hematite in samples of Group 1 and of Calcite, Quartz, Illite, and Hematite in samples of Group 2. The EDX experiments showed a higher percentage of Si and Al in samples of Group 1 and Si and Ca in Group 2. The XRD, ATR-FT-IR, and SEM-EDX results concurred with each other and indicate that Group 1, including the Mars Orange samples, was of non-calcareous origin while Group 2, including the small jars, was of calcareous origin. In addition, the firing temperature of the five samples was estimated to be in the range of 600°C to 700°C based on the presence of Illite.
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Cite this Record
Experimental XRD, FTIR, and EDX Analysis of Preclassic Maya Pottery of El Pilar. Anabel Ford. Presented at The 90th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology. 2025 ( tDAR id: 509274)
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Abstract Id(s): 50692