Methodological evaluation of firing temperature of archaeological pottery from Catamarca, Argentina

Abstract

X-ray diffraction (XRD), mercury porosimetry and color firing analyses were applied for estimating the firing temperature of archaeological ceramics from Hualfín Valley, province of Catamarca, Argentina. A body fragment jar of Belen-Black on Red pottery type was segmented in several pieces, which were thermally treated from 550°C to 1000°C range. All specimens were evaluated taking into account their color changes through visual comparison with Munsell color chart and subsequently mineralogical and textural compositions were determined. The obtained results exhibited textural changes (pore size), composition (phase changes) and color as a consequence of heat treatments applied on samples, which allowed us to make hypotheses about the original firing temperature of the pottery in the past.