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Estimation of Firing Temperature and Compositional Variability of Archaeological Pottery by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

A. Giordana ,
E. Peacock ,
M. McCarthy ,
K. Guilbeau ,
P. Jacobs ,
J.D. Seger  and
W.G. Ramsey
A. Giordana
Affiliation:
Diagnostic Instrumentation and Analysis Laboratory (DIAL) at Mississippi State University, 205 Research Blvd., Starkville, MS 39759
E. Peacock
Affiliation:
Cobb Institute of Archaeology at Mississippi State University (MSU), P.O. Box AR, Mississippi State, MS 39762
M. McCarthy
Affiliation:
Diagnostic Instrumentation and Analysis Laboratory (DIAL) at Mississippi State University, 205 Research Blvd., Starkville, MS 39759
K. Guilbeau
Affiliation:
Now at the College of Veterinary Medicine of MSU, Starkville, MS 39759
P. Jacobs
Affiliation:
Cobb Institute of Archaeology at Mississippi State University (MSU), P.O. Box AR, Mississippi State, MS 39762
J.D. Seger
Affiliation:
Cobb Institute of Archaeology at Mississippi State University (MSU), P.O. Box AR, Mississippi State, MS 39762
W.G. Ramsey
Affiliation:
Now at Earthstone, LTD, 555 Republic Dr. Ste 440, Plano, TX 75074.
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Abstract

Digital Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), a thermal characterization technique, can be used to rapidly obtain a rough upper estimate of the firing temperature of archaeological pottery as well as an indication of its composition. The technique involves heating a small sample (10–20 mg) of ground ceramic above the vitrification temperature, cooling and reheating. The curves of the two heating cycles are then compared. The validity of the technique was evaluated by a blind test in which 35 tiles fired at different temperatures were analyzed without knowing their firing point, and by analysis of archaeological pottery samples assumed to be local or imported based upon stylistic criteria.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 852 , 2004 , OO8.6
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2005

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References

REFERENCES

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