Determination of the chemical composition of medieval glazed pottery from Drastar (Bulgaria) using PIXE/PIGE and LA-ICP-MS

Fifteen samples of medieval glazed pottery from Drastar (present day Silistra), Bulgaria, dated between 10th and 18th centuries AD were studied. The element concentration of the glazes was determined by Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Proton Induced Gamma Emission (PIGE) analysis. The composition of the clay bodies was studied by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) after pelletization of the powdered clay. In addition, Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) was used for characterization of the clay bodies.After subtraction of the PbO and CuO content, the comparison between the compositions of the clay bodies and the glazes revealed that both the calcareous and the non-calcareous samples were glazed using lead oxide by itself followed by firing in oxidizing atmosphere. Furthermore, it was shown that iron, copper and manganese oxides were used to achieve the desired colors.

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