Abstract

The combination of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) and synchrotron X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) provides the detailed composition of fine-paste ware (FPW) kendis, dated back to 13th–14th century maritime Southeast Asia. Sources of clay and production sites were classified according to Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>, SiO<inf>2</inf>, α-Fe<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> and γ-Fe<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> as well as trace elements. The similarities based on these components provided another evidence of a trade route between Kota Cina in North Sumatra of Indonesia and Kok Moh on Satingphra Peninsula, a well-known production area in present-day Thailand. In additions, the uniquely large contribution of α-Fe<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> in XANES spectra suggests that Nakhon Si Thammarat province of Thailand could also be one of FPW production areas in maritime Southeast Asia. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.