FT-IR ANALYSIS

FT-IR ANALYSIS OF EDL LOCAL CLAY AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTTERY SAMPLES

Prof  DrJ.R.SIVARAMAKRISHNAN

Fourier Transform Infrared spectrum of EDL clay sample reflects the presence of Kaolinite clay fraction in disordered form with higher proportion of Quartz. The minerals like calcite and feldspar are present as tracer quantity. The clay is of coarse grain size with void spaces, which reflects the higher proportion of sand in the clay.

The FT-IR Spectrum of black and red ware archaeological pottery from EDL shows the similar spectral pattern with the absence of hydroxyl bands. This shows that the pottery was made of local clay and fired above 600⁰C during firing. The outer red color of the pottery infers that, it was painted with iron oxides and fired in inverted form. The black inner surface is due to firing materials and air was not allowed during firing.