Early techniques of making pottery can be investigated by Fe-57 Mossbauer s
pectroscopy. Iron is generally present in unpurified clays in concentration
s of several percent. During firing, the iron undergoes characteristic chan
ges of its chemical and physical state, depending on the kiln atmosphere an
d on the maximum firing temperature reached. These changes can be followed
by Mossbauer spectroscopy. Firing techniques can often be reconstructed whe
n spectra of laboratory and field fired samples are compared with those obs
erved in ancient sherds.