Ancient ceramic artefacts attracted the attention of scientists as being a chronological indicator within the archaeological context; however, they can also provide information about the tech-nology and provenance. A series of brick samples from an ancient nomadic town at Karabal-gasun (Mongolia) have been analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis in order to obtain information on the performance of the kilns used and on the technological skills of ancient pot-ters.
The multi‐analytical approach, including X‐ray fluorescence (XRF), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy with X‐ray (SEM‐EDX), was applied to terracotta figurines, mural plaster, and local clay sources coming from two elite burials in Mongolia—Shoroon Bumbagar I and Shoroon Bumbagar II—dated to the second half of the VII century AD. The aims of this study were: (1) by comparing the major composition of body samples with those of the ancient Tang sancai kilns to identify the origin of raw materials; and (2) to track changes in the manufacturing technology. Analysis of CaO, Fe2O3, TiO2, and K2O, which were crucial for distinguishing the provenance of red bodies, confirmed the local production of terracotta figurines. Furthermore, this study helped us attain a deeper understanding of the Tang sancai at both Shoroon Bumbagar sites, geographically located on both banks of the Tuul River yet separated in time by a few decades; it suggests the movement of two groups of artisans using different technologies to make Tang sancai locally by incorporating local tastes and traditions.
Given the need to date the series of unknown burials at the site Khutag Uul, Arkhangai province (Mongolia), different luminescence dating methods were applied: p-IRIR (IR at lower temperature and post infrared stimulation at an elevated temperature) and SGL (single grain luminescence) on both heated ceramics consisting of fine grains of quartz and feldspar and unheated coarse quartz from surrounding sediments. Detailed study has been done in order to analyze the composition of the IR and p-IRIR decay curves which suggest that the equivalent doses obtained from the IR50 and IR at elevated temperature might originate from one trap. Experimental results of IR, p-IRIR suggest a date 3±75BC and 203±95BC, respectively; the single grain (SG) luminescence measurements yield a date 198±94BC for the production of pottery. The surrounding sediment material, which was originally used for the determination of the doserate, was an mixed population with an indication that a grave was robbed around 588±70AD.
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