Using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) in the study of the origin of majolica in Mexico

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an investigation that contributes to understanding the raw material sources utilized in majolica production in the viceregal period in New Spain; colonial majolica is also compared with contemporary Spanish ware. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analyses (INAA) provides the basis for establishing different compositional groups of historically significant ceramics through statistical significance tests. The grounds for the method used in this study are briefly explained to illustrate the importance of INAA in the process of inferring the provenance of majolica vessels. Three chemical composition groups are identified in this sample set, with a 95% confidence level, as illustrated in the charts presented. This paper also contributes to understand the technologies associated with majolica manufacture, as well as the contexts in which it was made, used, and dispersed, which leads to a more comprehensive knowledge of the directions in which the objects and ideas flowed.