Applications of energy dispersive portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF; Olympus Vanta M Series VMR) for the chemical analysis of ceramic fabrics are gaining importance for archaeology. In addition to the broad accessibility of the instruments and their ability to gain first-look chemical data without destroying archaeological samples, the ability to bring the instrument to the field may be the only option for researchers working internationally. Through a systematic evaluation of quality control measures applied to multiple standard and in-house reference materials, we conclude that the pXRF employed in this study can precisely and accurately quantify many elements, some of which are not reported or possess high detection limits as measured by other instruments, including neutron activation analysis (NAA). We also demonstrate that analyzing ceramics in different states – intact sherds, homogenized powders, or pressed planchets – produce internally consistent results within categories but yield different results across sample preparation techniques. Finally, we re-analyze an archaeological sample of Coarse Orange jars from the Classic period Tuxtla Mountains, Veracruz, Mexico previously studied through petrography and NAA (Stoner, 2013; Stoner et al., 2008). Analyses of samples processed into homogenized powders yield the most accurate and precise results, rivaling the analytical capabilities of NAA for characterizing this particular sample of ceramics. Analysis of intact sherds and pressed planchets yields sufficient results to reproduce the main compositional groups identified through prior NAA, but loses some detail necessary to separate subgroups.

能量色散便携式 X 射线荧光 (pXRF；Olympus Vanta M 系列 VMR) 在陶瓷织物的化学分析中的应用在考古学中变得越来越重要。除了这些仪器具有广泛的可访问性以及它们能够在不破坏考古样本的情况下获得第一眼化学数据的能力之外，将仪器带到现场的能力可能是国际研究人员的唯一选择。通过对适用于多种标准和内部参考材料的质量控制措施的系统评估，我们得出结论，本研究中使用的 pXRF 可以精确、准确地量化许多元素，其中一些元素没有报告或具有高检测限，如通过测量其他仪器，包括中子活化分析 (NAA)。我们还证明，分析不同状态的陶瓷——完整的碎片、均质粉末或压片——在类别内产生内部一致的结果，但在不同的样品制备技术中产生不同的结果。最后，我们重新分析了先前通过岩相学和 NAA 研究过的墨西哥韦拉克鲁斯州图斯特拉山脉古典时期粗橙色罐的考古样本（Stoner，2013 年；Stoner 等人，2008 年）。对加工成均质粉末的样品进行分析可获得最准确和精确的结果，可与 NAA 对这种特殊陶瓷样品进行表征的分析能力相媲美。对完整碎片和压片的分析产生了足够的结果来重现通过先前 NAA 确定的主要成分组，