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Hadian Dehkordi M, Azizi Kharanaghi M H. (2026). Colorimetric Analysis, Chemical Composition, and Mineralogical Characterization of Ceramics from the Tule’i Archaeological Site, Khuzestan: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Archaeological Materials. Parseh J. Archaeol. Stud.. 10(35), 7-25. doi:10.61882/PJAS.1564.86.5
URL: http://journal.richt.ir/mbp/article-1-1564-en.html

Tule’i Tepe, located in northern Khuzestan, is one of the key Neolithic sites on the Susiana Plain and has been dated to ca. 6200–5900 BCE based on previous studies. Although the site has been interpreted as a seasonal settlement or a mobile pastoralist camp with a relatively short occupation span, it is remarkably rich in material culture, particularly ceramics. Excavations at Tule’i have yielded a diverse ceramic assemblage, including both plain and painted Jaffar type pottery, as well as white and red wares decorated with various motifs, which show stylistic parallels with contemporary sites in Mesopotamia and southwestern Iran. Despite the significance of the site for studies of the Neolithic period and pastoralism, no comprehensive investigation has yet been conducted into the raw materials, production technology, or provenance of its pottery. The present study aims to address this gap by applying a multidisciplinary approach to the analysis of 41 ceramic samples from Tule’i Tepe. Three complementary analytical methods were employed: spectrophotometry for precise color measurement, portable X ray fluorescence (pXRF) for the determination of major and minor elements, and X ray diffraction (XRD) for mineralogical phase identification and the estimation of firing temperatures. Elemental analysis reveals that buff colored ceramic bodies contain the highest calcium (Ca) content, whereas red colored bodies show higher concentrations of iron (Fe) and aluminium (Al). Manganese (Mn) was identified as the primary coloring agent in the brownish decorations applied to the pottery. XRD analysis indicates the presence of minerals such as pyroxene and phlogopite, suggesting firing temperatures in the range of 600–700 °C. The presence of calcite in certain samples further indicates that firing temperatures remained below 800 °C, since calcite decomposes at higher temperatures. These findings suggest that Tule’i potters possessed considerable technical knowledge in controlling firing temperatures and selecting raw materials. A secondary aspect of this study compares the effectiveness of two color measurement methods: conventional visual comparison using the Munsell Soil Color Chart and instrumental analysis using reflectance spectrophotometry. The results indicate that the spectrophotometric method, owing to its higher resolution in distinguishing closely related colors (e.g., buff and light brown), can serve as an effective complement to non instrumental methods.