Elemental mapping of Moroccan enameled terracotta tile works (Zellij) based on X-ray micro-analyses

From the obtained spectra we have identified the main elements present in the tin-opacified lead glaze. The identification of the decoration colors is based on the different ratios between the fluorescence lines of the main component of the glaze (Pb-Lα line) and the fluorescence lines of the main components of the pigment (Co-Kα, Mn-Kα, Ni-Kα,… lines). The semi-quantitative calculations based on these ratios revealed significant differences between modern and ancient samples.