Pampa La Cruz: a diachronic study of its ceramic vessels and raw material sources using X-ray techniques

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the results of the study of archaeological materials (ceramic fragments) from the Pampa La Cruz site and geological samples from the Moche and Virú valley (north coast of Peru), with the aim of characterizing the structure of the crystallographic components that make up the matrix of said materials, using the techniques of X-ray fluorescence by dispersive energy and X-ray diffraction by the powder method. The diffraction profiles were evaluated using the Rietveld method to quantify the mineralogical composition of the materials. From the analysis of the ceramic fragments, the presence of quartz and various clays was determined. These same phases were identified in the geological samples, suggesting that the ceramics would have come from these geological materials. Based on these results, a proposal is presented to contrast the mineralogical composition of geological samples with those of archaeological samples. Considering that the investigated region has proven to be one of the settlements with one of the oldest uses of ceramic vessels in the northern Peruvian coast, the results of the present study, together with other complementary studies, could be transcendental, since they can help to understand the dynamics of the ancient settlers in the obtaining of raw materials and production of their ceramic vessels, vital for their food and other ceremonial purposes. This, in turn, could be linked to the economic model currently applied in the region for pre-Hispanic times.

Keywords
Ceramics; clay; X-ray fluorescence by dispersive energy; X-ray diffraction; Rietveld method