FT-IR Spectroscopic Analysis of Neolithic Pottery from Kashmir Valley,India - A Study of Firing Process and Mineral Composition

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Department of Higher Education,Government of Jammu & Kashmir, India.

Abstract

This study is an archaeometric research on the Neolithic pottery in Kashmir Valley, India to determine the firing
technology and mineral composition, which is influenced by firing temperature and clayey sediment composition
through FT-IR Spectroscopy Analysis. The pottery shreds were subjected to analysis as in the powder form for
estimation of firing temperature, during manufacturing of the pottery. The characterization studies reveal the skill
and style of the artisans who lived in the Neolithic period. In this study, the firing temperature of potsherds from
the four Neolithic sites of Gufkral and Hariparigamin District Pulwama, Pethpuranteng in district Ganderbal and
Qasimbagh in Baramulla, Kashmir, India is predicted. FT-IR spectroscopic analysis of the pottery was backed at
an average temperature between a minimum of 400-5000C and a maximum of 800-9000C at the above sites. The
common mineral composition of the pottery includes Quartz and Aluminosilicates (Kaolinite, Illite, or Feldspar)
with the addition of carbonates as reproduced from the FT-IR spectrum.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Archaeological Studies
Volume 14, Issue 2
December 2024
Pages 33-44

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