A Technological Study of the Elamite Polychrome Glazed Bricks at Susa,South‐Western Iran

This study investigated the technological features of the Neo‐Elamite glazed bricks discovered at the Acropolis of Susa, south‐western Iran, by conducting micro‐Raman spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry (DTA/TG), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS). The results showed that calcium antimonate white and lead antimonate yellow were used as opacifiers in the white, yellow and green glazes, and that green and turquoise glazes were achieved using copper. Coloured glazes were separated by a Si‐rich brown glaze to prevent them from running together during firing. The glazed bricks most probably were not fired at temperatures higher than 900°C.