X-ray compositional microanalysis and X-ray diffraction of Haltern 70 amphorae sherds

Abstract

About 100 sherds from Haltern 70 amphorae recovered from Castro do Vieito (NW Portugal) and from kiln sites located at Guadalquivir valley, Rio Tinto valley, bay of Cadix and Algarve coast, were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The study aimed mainly to verify the provenance of Castro do Vieito (CV) Haltern 70 amphorae. Principal components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were performed. A CV sherd with a potter’s stamp “LH…” was studied among other CV sherds and it was found that they have the same origin, and probably a unique provenance. The most considered area of Haltern 70 type, Guadalquivir valley, is not likely to be the origin of CV Haltern 70 amphorae. Moreover, it is quite possible that these amphorae were produced in a region with Nb rich soils.