Analysis of Illyrian terracotta figurines of Aphrodite and other ceramic objects using EDXRF spectrometry

The results obtained during the study of some Illyrian terracotta figurines of Aphrodite and related ceramics that belong to 3rd century B.C. are presented. The objects were found under water close to the banks of the Seferan Lake, which is situated about 2 km from the ancient Illyrian settlement of Belsh (central Albania). Most of the figurines were covered with a black layer of nonuniform thickness. X-ray fluorescence was used for the determination of the type of raw materials used for the manufacture of the terracotta figurines and for the investigation of the objects' provenance. The analytical results obtained from the samples allowed us to conclude that the objects found in the Seferan Lake should have been made from local clays. The analyses performed on the black cover material showed that this layer is made of an iron-rich material. It is not clear whether the black layer was intentionally applied during the manufacture of the figurines or was formed owing to the weathering of the objects under water. Copyright (C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.