Potentiality of non-destructive XRF analysis for the determination of Corinthian B amphorae provenance

Numerous samples of archaic transport Corinthian B type amphorae coming from the archaeological excavations of Gela (Sicily,South Italy) were analysed using non-destructive X-ray fluorescence (portable InnovX-Systems ‘Alpha 4000’). Between the 6thand the 5th century BC the Corinthian B amphorae were diffused throughout the Western Mediterranean regions and Greece.Some researchers assigned these amphorae to different production areas, both in Southern Italy and in Greece, although, upto now, the exact attribution to the production centres is still under discussion. In this paper, with the aim to characterisethe production sites of this important typology of amphorae, common ceramics, undoubtedly produced in Corinth, Corf `u andSybaris, were also analysed as these important Greek and Magna Graecia cities are considered by the archaeologists as theproduction centresof ‘Corinthian B’ amphorae. Themultivariate analysis, performedonselected elements, clearly distinguishedtwo groups of amphorae which, on the basis of archeological considerations, and by the comparison with reference ceramics,were assigned toMagnae Grecia (Sybaris and surroundings) and Greek productions.