EAPSI: Composition Analysis of Majiayao Pigments using X-Ray Fluorescence

Carlucci Eric, Rochester MN

Investigators

Abstract

Northwestern China is considered to be an important area through history, becoming a gateway through which trade was conducted between most of Eurasia and the rest of China. Even during the Neolithic period (8500-1500 BC), many cultures seem to have participated in exchange of goods, such as the Majiayao cultural complex (3100-2700 BC). Archaeologists are now able to use geological chemical signatures to identify the origins of objects, such as ceramics. Using a specific type of analysis, X-Ray Fluorescence, painted pottery from various archaeological sites of the Majiayao will be examined in order to identify if painted pottery found can be assigned to either local production or trade, placing these objects in time and space. This research will be conducted at Peking University in Beijing under the supervision of Dr. Jianfeng Cui. Dr. Cui has worked with chemical analysis of material culture previously, and many of the anticipated ceramics to be examined are already at his lab. This project will specifically examine chemical patterns to determine the provenience of the ceramics, paying close attention to trace elements which can give clues to the relationship between sherds, and where those samples may have come from. An XRF analyzer will be used, followed by analysis and discussion of results. The results will be compared with prior geological knowledge in order to determine local production or importation of these ceramics. From this, potential trade systems can be established to observe which sites might be importing or exporting goods, and if materials are coming from even further away, potential contact and trade with outside groups. This will improve our knowledge of trade in the Neolithic period, and how this might affect interaction and trade in later periods as well. This award, under the East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes program, supports summer research by a U.S. graduate student and is jointly funded by NSF and China's Ministry of Science and Technology.