Connection of 3D chemical information and materials reproduction

Dr. B. Kanngießer (Technische Universität Berlin, Germany) and her colleagues have recently reported an interesting archaeological application of 3D chemical analysis based on confocal X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy. This is highly significant for clarifying the technological background of the decorated black- and red-figured Athenian vases (6^th and 5^th century BC) and the plain black glaze. The research team discussed the correlation of the iron oxidation state in the black glaze layer with the manufacturing process. The 3-stage firing process, which was used in the modern reproduction, was retraced by correlating selected attic black glazed (BG) specimens from different periods (Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic). For more information, see the paper, "Confocal XANES and the Attic Black Glaze: The Three Stage Firing Process through Modern Reproduction", L. Luhl et al., Anal. Chem., Article ASAP (DOI: 10.1021/ac500990k).