Possibilities and Limitations of Various X-ray Fluorescence Techniques in Studying the Chemical Composition of Ancient Ceramics

An overview of publications dedicated to the application of various X-ray fluorescence techniques for investigating the chemical composition of ancient ceramics and clays is presented. Examples of conventional wavelength dispersive and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometers, portable X-ray analyzers, spectrometers with polycapillary optics (micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry), and total reflection geometry are considered. Although X-ray fluorescence serves as the analytical signal in all cases, the listed X‑ray fluorescence techniques differ in the range of analytes, methods of sample preparation, and methods for calculating element concentrations. The author experience in applying the described techniques of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to a comprehensive study of archaeological materials from the Stone Age for the historical reconstruction of economic activities in the Baikal Siberia population is also discussed.