Compositional Classification of Archaeological Pottery Based on INAA and SEM-EDX

Abstract

Abstract The suitability of combining Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and Electron Probe X-ray Microanalysis (SEM-EDX) for the classification of archaeological pottery based on their composition is illustrated with two examples of different nature and complexity: the study of Cuban aborigine pottery production and distribution and the classification of Majolica from the colonial period. The different scope and features of both techniques complement each other in achieving a more consistent and complete characterization of the composition and structure of the ceramic paste.