Automated SEM-EDS mineralogical characterisation of archaeological pottery from Luxmanda and Mumba Rockshelter, Tanzania

Abstract

This study presents the first application of automated scanning electron microscopy with linked energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS) to characterise “Narosura” Pastoral Neolithic (PN) pottery from the Luxmanda site in northern Tanzania. Additional samples from Mumba Rockshelter in the Eyasi Basin are also presented for comparison. The PN period in eastern Africa (∼5000–1200 BP) was characterised by the spread of domestic livestock and new forms of material culture associated with pastoralism. Despite extensive pottery macro-typological analysis in this region, few studies have focused on the mineralogical composition and provenance of the raw materials for PN pottery production. By examining 13 pottery samples using automated SEM-EDS, this study has identified four distinct mineralogical groups, each of which reflect the localised sourcing of raw materials for ceramic manufacture. The findings reveal differences in raw material sources suggesting varying pottery production techniques and cultural practices.