Multi-Analytical approach of archaeological pottery excavated from Thoppur, Tiruvannamalai district, Tamilnadu, India

A three pieces of pottery samples Red slipped ware and Red ware excavated from the site Thoppur, Thiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu, India. In order to characterize and classify these earth ware samples, mineralogical and elemental concentrations were studied with FTIR, XRD and SEM-EDS analysis. Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometry method can be used for the study of characteristic reactions, associated with the course of firing and also used to distinguish between different types of clay minerals and derive information concerning their composition. XRD analysis gives the confirmation about the findings of FT-IR results. From the above analyses, firing temperature and firing conditions of archaeological pottery were determined. The microstructure and elemental composition of the pottery sample evaluated from their microphotograph by Scanning Electron Microscope along with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS).