Compositional Analysis

See below a photographic listing of ceramic samples selected for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) at the Missouri University Research Reactor. Results for INAA are currently pending. Samples were selected to represent various ceramic types spanning Preclassic to Postclassic times.

Photo Description

All ceramics listed here are from Cerro Portezuelo archaeological collections at the UCLA Fowler Museum (Accession Number 204).

CERRO PORTEZUELO POTTERY STUDY

Early Postclassic Alicia Openwork Censers and Fine Paste Cream Slip Bowls

Epiclassic to Postclassic Comals

Epiclassic, Early Postclassic, Aztec I - INAA Samples AZC 1102 to 1169

Classic - INAA Samples AZC 1007 to 1042

Postclassic and Colonial - INAA Samples AZC 938 to 998

Postclassic - INAA Samples AZC 827 to AZC 937

Preclassic and Early Classic - INAA Samples AZC 626 to AZC 826

Epiclassic - INAA Samples AZC 424 to AZC 625

Early Postclassic - INAA Samples AZC 202 to AZC 409

Postclassic Decorated - INAA Samples AZC 098 to AZC 201

Postclassic Decorated - Nichols Pilot Study INAA Samples AZC 001 to AZC 097

CERRO PORTEZUELO FIGURINE STUDY

Late Aztec - INAA Figurine Samples

Early Aztec - INAA Figurine Samples

Early Postclassic - INAA Figurine Samples

Epiclassic - INAA Figurine Samples

Classic - INAA Figurine Samples

UCLA SURVEY STUDY

Preclassic and Classic - INAA Samples AZC 1305-1404

Epiclassic and Early Postclassic Survey Samples

Study Results/Results

Pilot study results are published in Nichols et al. 2002 (see References).

Branstetter-Hardesty provides a dissertation study on ceramic compositions (see References).

We will provide preliminary INAA results at the 2008 SAA Annual meetings.

Crider is currently conducting a pilot study using Proton Induced X-ray Emissions (PIXE) in order to characterize Epiclassic and Early Postclassic paints and slips.