Characterization of pottery from Republic of Macedonia II. Raman and infrared analyses of glazed pottery finds from Skopsko Kale

Byzantine and Ottoman pottery shards from Skopsko Kale, Republic of Macedonia (27 samples) were analyzed by infrared (IR) and micro-Raman spectroscopies. IR spectroscopy provided data for assessing the firing temperature of the ceramic body as well as the basic mineralogical composition, while micro-Raman spectroscopy was used for studying the glazes as well as for estimating the mineralogical composition of the ceramic body. The firing temperature of the Byzantine pottery was more uniform and ranged between 700 and 800 degrees C. In the case of the Ottoman pottery, a clear distinction between two different firing temperatures in the samples was made, thereby dividing them into two groups (700-800 and 800-900 degrees C). According to the previously established relationship between glaze composition and Raman parameters, the glazes in all analyzed samples were found to be lead-based, with firing temperature below 700 degrees C. A total of 25 different mineral phases was identified in the body of the ceramics. Some pigments were also identified in the pottery glazes. Oleic acid (oil) and apatite residues (protein?) were identified in one sample. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.