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Early Pottery Making in Northern Coastal Peru. Part I: Mössbauer Study of ClaysI. Shimada Museo Nacional de Antropología, Pueblo Libre, Lima 21, Peru W. Häusler, T. Hutzelmann, U. Wagner Physik-Department E15, Technische Universität München, 85747 Garching, Germany Abstract We report on an investigation of several ancient clays which were used for pottery making in northern coastal Peru at a kiln site from the Formative period (ca. 2000–800 BC) in the Poma Canal and at a Middle Sicán pottery workshop in use between ca. AD 950 and 1050 at Huaca Sialupe in the lower La Leche valley. Neutron activation analysis, 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used for the characterisation of the clays. The changes that occur in iron-bearing compounds in the clays depending on the kiln atmosphere and on the maximum firing temperature were studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Laboratory firing series under varying controlled conditions were performed to obtain a basic understanding of the different reactions taking place in the clays during firing. The results can be used as models in the interpretation of the Mössbauer spectra observed in ancient ceramics from the same context. Keywords Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, pottery clays, firing of clay Previous Abstract | Download Article | Next Abstract | | |||||
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