FT-IR Spectroscopic Analysis of Neolithic Pottery from Kashmir Valley,India - A Study of Firing Process and Mineral Composition

Abstract

This study is an archaeometric research on the Neolithic pottery in Kashmir Valley, India to determine the firingtechnology and mineral composition, which is influenced by firing temperature and clayey sediment compositionthrough FT-IR Spectroscopy Analysis. The pottery shreds were subjected to analysis as in the powder form forestimation of firing temperature, during manufacturing of the pottery. The characterization studies reveal the skilland style of the artisans who lived in the Neolithic period. In this study, the firing temperature of potsherds fromthe four Neolithic sites of Gufkral and Hariparigamin District Pulwama, Pethpuranteng in district Ganderbal andQasimbagh in Baramulla, Kashmir, India is predicted. FT-IR spectroscopic analysis of the pottery was backed atan average temperature between a minimum of 400-5000C and a maximum of 800-9000C at the above sites. Thecommon mineral composition of the pottery includes Quartz and Aluminosilicates (Kaolinite, Illite, or Feldspar)with the addition of carbonates as reproduced from the FT-IR spectrum.