Thermoluminescence and after glow color images from ancient pottery pieces

Abstract

Some radiation-induced luminescence color images, including afterglow (AG) or radiophosphorescence, and thermoluminescence (TL), were conveniently photographed by means of a commercially avaible negative color film after the irradiation of X-ray on pottery slices. The resultant photographs, particulary AG color images (AGCIs), showed a variety of emission patterns dependent on kinds of minerals or thermal history of pottery. The AGCIs from archaeological pottery slices are subjected to the color image analysis to obtain more quantitative information. The relationships of two color intensity-ratios, such as green/red, were found to reflect clearly the origin of pottery. While, the dependence of luminescent color properties on the heating temperatures suggests to clarify thermal history of kilns and potteries using stepwise heating of their ingredient-clay.