A characterization of Cerro de oro ceramics using mössbauer spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction

Abstract

This study analyses the paste of 17 ceramic samples obtained from research performed by the Proyecto Arqueológico Cerro de Oro. This analysis uses Mössbauer spectroscopy to characterize certain particularities of the ceramic´s paste, particularly the consistency of the clay, and base information to infer ceramic´s firing temperature in the future. Moreover, five of these samples were analyzed via X-ray diffraction, in order to further complement paste characterization, particularly in relation with types of clay. This characterization will explore the consistency observed in «typical» Cerro de Oro ceramics, and its possible internal groupings, as well as the particularities of «atypical» ceramics, and their possible foreign origin.