Applications of FTIR and $\text{}^{57}Fe$ Mössbauer Techniques in Studies of Recently Excavated Indian Archaeological Pottery

The Fourier transform infrared absorption spectra and $\text{}^{57}Fe$ Mössbauer spectra have been recorded at room temperature for the recently excavated archaeological pottery sherds. FTIR spectroscopy is used to estimate the lower limit of firing temperature and firing nature of the pottery sherds, and it is confirmed by the results of the Mössbauer technique results. The results show that the $\text{}^{57}Fe$ Mössbauer and FTIR spectra of few pottery sherds of Perumalpattu and Theriruveli are nearly identical, indicating that they may belong to the same origin. $\text{}^{57}Fe$ Mössbauer spectra of black coloured sherds show the presence of $Fe^{2+}$ ions which confirm the relation between the black colour in pottery and the existence of non-magnetic FeO compound, resulting from the reducing atmospheric condition during firing. FTIR results of reddish pot sherds show the presence of significant amount of $Fe_2O_3//α-Fe_2O_3$, which confirms again the relationship between the state and form of iron present in the pottery and its colour