Non-invasive investigation on pigments of the Aeolian Islands Neolithic pottery

Neolithic pottery from the Aeolian Islands, a key chronological indicator of prehistoric settlements dating back to the 6th–5th millennium BCE, was analyzed using non-invasive techniques to identify its pigments. Researchers employed Fiber Optical Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Raman Spectroscopy, and Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) to study 16 pottery sherds. The analysis revealed the presence of red ochre and raw umber, some of which were no longer visible to the naked eye, while FT-IR data also provided insights into pottery differentiation. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of Aeolian Neolithic ceramic traditions and their cultural significance.

Armetta, F., Giuffrida, D., Martinelli, M. C., Mollica Nardo, V., Saladino, M. L., & Ponterio, R. C. (2023). Non-invasive investigation on pigments of the Aeolian Islands Neolithic pottery. Materials Letters, 336, 133854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2023.133854