Electron Spin Resonance and Dilatometric Studies of Ancient Ceramics Applied to the Determination of Firing Temperature

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Abstract
Electron spin resonance (ESR) and dilatometric studies have been performed on clay fired to various temperatures. ESR spectra are very sensitive to the heat treatment and the variations of spectroscopic parameters are discussed as functions of the firing temperatures. The study shows that these ESR parameters can be used for a quantitative determination of the firing temperature. In the dilatometric analysis, the change of the length as well as the parameters related to the quartz transition, are sensitive to the heat treatment. The most significant parameters are selected for this study. The dilatometric determination of the firing temperature is in good agreement with the ESR results. After a control experiment performed by both methods on a known clay sample, we finally study an archaeological sample as an example. Its firing temperature was determined with satisfying accuracy.