XRD DATA : Early Neolithic pottery production in the Maltese Islands : initiating an Għar Dalam and Skorba pottery fabric classification

<p dir="ltr">This dataset contains raw X-ray diffraction (XRD) data from 32 Early Neolithic ceramic sherds excavated at four sites in Malta: Skorba, Santa Verna, Taċ-Ċawla, and Kordin. The samples represent the Għar Dalam and Skorba phases and were analysed as part of the MaltaPot project at the University of Malta. XRD analysis was carried out to support petrographic interpretations, confirm mineral phases, and assess firing conditions. The dataset includes intensity vs 2θ data, recorded using a Bruker D8 diffractometer, along with full output files including instrument settings. Data collection was conducted by Dr Catriona Brogan and later re-analysed by Dr Ing. John C. Betts and Maria Vella. This upload was prepared as part of the publication of the archaeometric results by Emma Richard-Tremeau.</p><p dir="ltr">XRD data were collected at the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (DMME), University of Malta, under the supervision and with the help of Ing. James Camilleri and Dr Daniel Vella.</p><p dir="ltr">The data are provided in an Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx) with four sheets:</p><ol><li>Għar Dalam – raw data (angle and intensity)</li><li>Għar Dalam – full output with instrument settings</li><li>Skorba – raw data (angle and intensity)</li><li>Skorba – full output with instrument settings</li></ol><p dir="ltr">Methodology is described in detail in the accompanying README file.</p>