Application of FTIR and Moss bauer spectroscopy in analysis of some South Indian archaeological potteries

833-838<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif""="">FTIR, XRD and room temperature Mossbauer spectra have been recorded for the recently excavated archaeological potteries from Sriperumbudur, Elichanur (Tamil Nadu ) and Thiruvanchikulam (Kerala) . When firing the clay based materials like potteries, bricks and tiles etc. , the presence of a few per cent of iron undergoes characteristic changes in its physical and chemical states depending upon the maximum firing temperature reached and kiln atmosphere, which can he followed by using FTIR and Mossbauer spectroscopic techniques. From the above techniques. the lower limit of firing temperature. firing atmosphere and type or clay used for the production of archaeological potteries were well established.