The ceramics of Malpaís of Zacapu, Michoacán, Mexico, during the Early and Middle Postclassic periods (900–1450 AD): Micro-chemical characterization of surface paintings

•First time characterization of Tarascan pigments by BSEM-EDS, μ-XRF, μ-XRD and μ-Raman•Amorphous carbon, hematite and magnetite based pigments were identified.•Graphite gives the lustrous aspect to the slip of the local version of Maya ceramic.•The bromine in an orange slip could suggest a possible marine origin.•The presence of Ti-oxides (anatase) indicates firing temperatures below 900 °C.

Tarascan ceramic sherds from two Postclassical archaeological sites (900–1450 AD) at the Malpaís of Zacapu, Michoacán, Mexico, were investigated by combining Back-Scattered Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (BSEM-EDS), μ-X-Ray Diffractometry (μ-XRD), μ-X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (μ-XRF) and μ-Raman Spectroscopy. These sherds are famous for their forms and decorations although the composition of its raw materials remains so far unknown and focused only on the composition of the ceramic paste. For the purpose of surface decoration characterization, the pigments used in slips and paintings were identified as hematite, magnetite, amorphous carbon, graphite and lignite. Furthermore chemical and molecular structure determination allowed the identification of technological aspects such as the firing temperatures and atmospheres used in ceramics production.