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Variations In Paint On San Juan Red Ware, James R. Allison, Aspen Greaves

Faculty Publications

Portable x-ray fluorescence (PXRF) analysis allows rapid, non-destructive characterization of the elements present in paints on archaeological ceramics. By measuring painted and unpainted portions of San Juan Red Ware sherds s from southeastern Utah, we document variation in the elements in the paint. Iron is ubiquitous in San Juan Red Ware paints, while manganese, lead, and copper, were also sometimes present. Manganese is consistently present in black paints on later San Juan Red Wares, and is a useful tool in identifying sherds. Abajo Red-on-orange sherds discolored by exposure to fire can appear to be Bluff black-on-red, but lack manganese. Lead …