# Synchrotron X-ray Microprobes: An Application on Ancient Ceramics
## 5 Conclusions  
Synchrotron X-ray microprobes offers challenging methods for ancient materials characterization studies. In the last years, numerous set-ups have been optimized for CH applications, thus enlarging the current research perspectives. In ancient ceramics studies, X-ray SR based methods might be able to help answering relevant question related to provenance and technology. Such information can be achieved by combining at least two different methods, with the selection primarily being dependent on (i) the availability of samples/sampling allowance (e.g., entire vessels vs. micro-samples, or cross-sections and microtome samples) (ii) sample preparation and (iii) the length scale required (from the whole clay paste or glaze composition to the detection of crystallites or other textural/composition features into micro or nano layers). \(\mu\)XRF and \(\mu\)XANES mapping at synchrotron X-ray microprobes can be an ideal combination, especially when no sample preparation is allowed, small fragments are available and a non-destructive approach of the samples is required. Samples can be scanned rapidly in different geometries, for example in cross-section to map elements localization on different layers. The 2D micro-chemical and phase-distribution maps might reveal the location of relevant geochemical tracers--both provenance and technology related--and can be also used for selecting regions of interest in XANES analysis in fluorescence mode. Then, \(\mu\)XANES spectra and maps can be useful in localizing mineral phase distributions and provide relevant information to the better understanding of technological issues in specific ceramic class manufacture. All this work can be carried out by the guidance and screening provided by XRF analyses, which, by being a multi-elemental technique, allows inspecting the samples and determining which sites are the most relevant for \(\mu\)XANES spectra and maps. The selected case study appears quite meaningful, both in term of archaeological relevance and practical issues. Black gloss ceramics--along with red and black figures vessels--usually include particularly exquisite corpora and rare masterpieces that cannot be sampled or sacrificed for destructive analysis. In addition, classification is still based on typological or style features, thus imposing the development of a new and--hopefully--non-destructive approach for the correct production site identification, especially among the well-known colonial workshops. The combination of XRF and XANES mapping methods with micrometric resolution was able to provide geochemical fingerprints for provenance determination and phase analysis for technological studies, which would benefit by experimental archaeology tests for further information. The comparison with classical microchemical methods pointed out the merits of such an approach, suggesting that even portable X-ray methods might enable fast and preliminary classification useful in defining criteria for micro-sampling operation. Continuous advances in X-ray microprobes associated with SR source upgrades will allow for even more powerful imaging and spectroscopic methods. In the coming future, the third and fourth generation SR sources will offer increasing opportunities for analyzing tiny and complex objects, which are typical among cultural heritage materials, in a faster way and with higher resolutions. The following are available online at [[https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/app11178052/s1](https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/app11178052/s1)]([https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/app11178052/s1](https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/app11178052/s1)), Figure S1: portable XRF maps acquired by [PERSON]. Figure S2: Fe-XANES point spectra collected on the gloss in cross-section geometry for GEVN (a), GEL (b) and ME (c) samples. The spectra were collected on a 3 \(\upmu\)m \(\times\) 5 \(\upmu\)m area, across Fe K-edge, as detailed in materials and methods.