Elemental analysis of potteries using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique

Archaeological pottery samples belonging to four different civilizations from Sanghol, India, were analyzed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) technique using the fundamental parameter approach. The samples for elemental analysis were excited by 17.8 keV X-ray photons of Mo secondary exciter in conjunction with X-ray tube. Ten elements, namely, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr and Y have been quantified. The experimental procedure adopted for elemental analysis was established by comparing the certified reference materials, obtained from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Chandigarh. It is concluded that the concentrations of the observed elements in pottery samples do not vary significantly for four different periods. The result indicates that the pottery of different periods was made from the same type of soil of the Sanghol region and pottery making was probably well developed art/technology at Sanghol.