Micro-Raman spectroscopy and ancient ceramics: applications and problems

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy is applied for the study of two classes of ancient ceramic artefacts showing different features and technological background, i.e. the fine‐grain Black Gloss Ware from Motya (Sicily, Italy) and the coarse‐grain pottery from Khirbet al‐Batrawy (Jordan). The characterization of the mineralogical composition of these ceramics allows exploring the firing conditions and the manufacturing process. In particular, μ‐Raman spectroscopy permits to define the mineralogical assemblage of the bulk of both groups of ceramic samples as well as the nature of the black gloss and superficial decorations. Moreover, μ‐Raman spectroscopy, allowing the identification of mineral phases in traces and describing as a consequence a more detailed mineralogical assemblage, can contribute to address issues concerning the provenance of the raw materials. The evaluation of the Raman results compared to those obtained by optical microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and electron microscopy highlights that Raman spectroscopy shows a great potential in the analysis of coarse‐grain and low fired ceramics, whereas it proves its limits in the analysis of fine and vitrified pottery class where the intergrowth of glass and crystalline phases provides Raman spectra not so easily interpretable. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The potential of Raman spectroscopy in the definition of the manufacturing process and the provenance of the archaeological ceramic has been here explored. Two classes of ancient ceramic artefacts from Italy and Jordan showing different features have been analyzed. Raman spectroscopy proved to have a great potential in the analysis of coarse‐grain and low fired ceramics, whereas proves its limits in the analysis of fine and vitrified pottery class.