Old Fragments of Architectural Ceramic Structures of the Sixth Century BCE from the Archaeological Museum “Bernabò Brea” (Lipari) Analysed Using a Portable XRF System

In the context of a study on selected fragments of ancient architecture belonging to a collection of the archaeological museum “Luigi Bernabò Brea” in Lipari (Aeolian Islands, Messina, Italy), we analysed, using the non-destructive X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) method, dozens of artefacts dating back to the sixth century BCE. The aim was to identify the origin of the raw materials used by craftsmen in the production of ceramic artefacts. The quantitative analyses, based on the composition and trace elements, suggest that the composition material used is consistent with local natural resources, given the presence of kaolinite–clay deposits in the northern part of Lipari. By comparing the ancient fragments with local raw kaolin powders still available today, this study aims to confirm the use of these materials in past ceramic production and decoration. These results support the hypothesis that the investigated fragments were locally manufactured, providing deeper insights into the production techniques of the time and the raw materials of the region.