Phase composition and internal structure of Bronze Age ceramics from the Eleke Sazy-2 settlement studied by X-ray diffraction and microtomography
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32523/ejpfm.2026100307Keywords:
archaeological ceramics, Eleke Sazy-2, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray microtomography, equivalent diameter, archaeometryAbstract
This paper presents the results of a non-destructive study of ceramic fragments from the Bronze Age settlement of Eleke Sazy-2 located in the foothills of Tarbagatay, Eastern Kazakhstan. The aim of the work was to characterize the raw materials used for pottery production and to obtain information on vessel manufacturing technology. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray microtomography were applied to determine the phase composition and internal structure of the ceramic fragments. The crystalline fraction of the ceramics is dominated by quartz ( SiO2 ), mica ( KAl2[AlSi3O10](OH)2 ), and feldspar ( NaAlSi3O8 ). The close similarity of phase composition among most of the samples suggests the use of related local raw materials and comparable technological approaches. Microtomographic data revealed the spatial distribution of dense mineral inclusions and pores formed during firing. In several samples, coarse angular grains with relatively high X-ray attenuation were observed, whereas other samples contained mainly fine rounded inclusions. The volumetric fractions and equivalent diameters of these grains were estimated from reconstructed three-dimensional models. The combined XRD and X-ray microtomography results indicate that at least two raw material preparation strategies may have been used, possibly associated with different mineral sources, including riverine and mountain environments. The study provides new archaeometric data on pottery production at the only currently investigated Bronze Age settlement in the foothills of Tarbagatay.
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