Small angle neutron scattering as fingerprinting of ancient potteries from Sicily (Southern Italy)

The mesoscopic structure of numerous samples of Archaic Ionian Cups found in different archaeological sites of Sicily was non-invasively investigated by means of small angle neutron scattering (SANS). Similar values of the mesoscopic structural parameters, radius of gyration and fractal dimension of the interfaces of the investigated potteries, testify a similar manufacturing technique. Many samples showed mesoscopic planar anisotropy probably due to some external mechanical stress during forging. Similar porosity was found for all the studied ceramics and appeared in general agreement with the Hg porosimetry values. Finally, the firing temperatures were estimated by comparison with raw materials fired under controlled conditions.