The Phoenician Red Slip Ware from Sulky (Sardinia-Italy): Microstructure and quantitative phase analysis

This study is focused on the Red Slip Ware from the archaeological site of Sulky (Sardinia, Italy), dated back to the end of 9th to the early 8th centuries B.C. Optical Microscopy (OM), X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with an EDS system (SEM-EDS) were used to characterize both the body and the external Red Slip decoration. Quantitative phase analysis (QPA) by the full-pattern refinement based on Rietveld code and Electron Probe Microanalyzer (EPMA) along with petrographic analysis suggested a temperature of firing in the range of 800–900 °C in oxidizing conditions. The quartz + cristobalite + tridymite association, inherited from the ignimbrites of the Sulcis volcanic district, could be useful to discriminate the Red Slip Ware production of Sulky from other manufactures. The slip presents major amount of hematite respect to the body, probably due to the use of the pigment to enhance the colour of the surface.