Characterization of archeological ceramics from the Andes by energy dispersion X-ray fluorescence

Ceramic characterization using EDXRF allows for provenance studies based on the chemical composition of the objects. Ceramic fragments from two coasta l sites of the first millenium B.C. in Peru have been analyzed to verify ce ramic exchange. Besides X-ray fluorescence, the samples have been submitted to energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis with thin sectioned sample for mi neral, petrographic analysis. The results show that the ceramics from Ancon and Garagay have been produced in different places, and none of the cerami cs analyzed have been exchanged even so the archaeological sites are close together. Ceramic exchange is however attested between other sites of the s tudy.