Clay: An important raw material for prehistoric man

Citation
U. Wagner et al., Clay: An important raw material for prehistoric man, HYPER INTER, 117(1-4), 1998, pp. 323-335
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
HYPERFINE INTERACTIONS
ISSN journal
03043843 → ACNP
Volume
117
Issue
1-4
Year of publication
1998
Pages
323 - 335
Database
ISI
SICI code
0304-3843(1998)117:1-4<323:CAIRMF>2.0.ZU;2-#
Abstract
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.