Etruscan Fine Ware Pottery: Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy as a Tool for the Investigation of Clay Firing Temperature and Atmosphere

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy emerges as a powerful tool for reconstructing the firing conditions of Etruscan fine ware pottery, offering insights into the temperature and atmospheric environment used by ancient potters. This study demonstrates that NIR diffuse reflection spectroscopy can effectively correlate clay firing parameters with the physical properties of ceramic paste, enabling archaeologists to classify pottery sherds from the UNESCO-listed necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia more accurately. By comparing spectroscopic data with mineralogical analyses obtained through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, researchers uncovered distinct patterns linked to firing temperature and atmosphere. Multivariate analysis further refined these correlations, providing a robust method for understanding the technological choices of Etruscan potters.

Bruni, S. (2022). Etruscan Fine Ware Pottery: Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy as a Tool for the Investigation of Clay Firing Temperature and Atmosphere. Minerals, 12(4), 412. https://doi.org/10.3390/min12040412