This paper presents the results of X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis of bricks sampled from historical places in Pernambuco, a state in the northeastern region of Brazil. In this study, twenty bricks found in historical sites were analyzed. Two bricks made in the 17th century, presumably used as ballast in ships coming from Holland, five locally manufactured bricks: one from 18th century, three from 19th century, and one from 20th century, and thirteen bricks collected from a recent Archeological investigation of Alto da Sé, in the town of Olinda. Qualitative determination of the chemical elements present in the samples was undertaken using a self‐assembled portable XRF system based on a compact X‐ray tube and a thermoelectrically cooled Si‐PIN photodiode system, both commercially available. X‐ray diffraction analysis was also carried out to assess the crystalline mineral phases present in the bricks. The results showed that quartz (SiO₂) is the major mineral content in all bricks. Although less expressive in the XRD patterns, mineral phases of illite, kaolinite, anorthite, and rutile are also identified. The trace element distribution patterns of the bricks, determined by the XRF technique, is dominated by Fe and, in decreasing order, by K, Ti, Ca, Mn, Zr, Rb, Sr, Cr, and Y with slight differences among them. Analyses of the chemical compositional features of the bricks, evaluated by principal component analysis of the XRF datasets, allowed the samples to be grouped into five clusters with similar chemical composition. These cluster groups were able to identify both age and manufacturing sites. Dutch bricks prepared with different geological clays compositions were defined.

中文翻译：

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X射线光谱法用于表征巴西历史遗迹的砖块

本文介绍了从巴西东北部地区伯南布哥州历史古迹取样的砖块的X射线荧光（XRF）分析结果。在这项研究中，分析了在历史古迹中发现的二十块砖。两块17世纪制造的砖，大概是用作荷兰船上的压舱物，五种本地制造的砖：一种是18世纪的砖，三种是19世纪的砖，另一种是20世纪的砖，还有十三种砖是从最近对奥拓的考古调查中收集到的daSé，位于奥林达镇。使用基于紧凑型X射线管的自组装便携式XRF系统和热电冷却的Si-PIN光电二极管系统对样品中存在的化学元素进行定性测定。还进行了X射线衍射分析，以评估砖中存在的结晶矿物相。结果表明，石英（SiO₂）是所有砖中的主要矿物质含量。尽管在X射线衍射图谱中表达较少，但也鉴定了伊利石，高岭石，钙长石和金红石的矿物相。通过XRF技术确定的砖块中的痕量元素分布模式主要由Fe决定，而降序依次由K，Ti，Ca，Mn，Zr，Rb，Sr，Cr和Y决定，它们之间存在细微差别。通过XRF数据集的主成分分析对砖的化学成分特征进行分析，可以将样品分为化学成分相似的五个簇。这些集群组能够识别年龄和制造地点。定义了用不同地质粘土成分制备的荷兰砖。