scholarly journals Identification of Obsidian Sources on Milos, Greece

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Johannes H Sterba ◽  
Fabienne Eder ◽  
Max Bichler
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Volcanic Glass ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Trade Routes ◽  
Chemical Fingerprint ◽  
Chemical Fingerprints ◽  
Ancient Times

Obsidian, a natural volcanic glass, was used extensively in ancient times because of its quality as a raw material for sharp blades. As such, obsidian is of high interest for provenancing studies, since reliable provenancing can provide information about trade routes, extension of territory, long-distance contacts and the mobility of prehistoric peoples. In general, well-established databases of the characteristic elemental composition, the chemical fingerprint, are needed for reliable provenancing. On Milos Island, two sources of raw obsidian, namely Agia Nychia (Cape Bombarda) and Demenegakion are known. Recent literature claims a third source close to Agios Ioannis. In a sampling expedition with the goal to complete the Atominstitut’s database on the chemical fingerprints of obsidian, samples at Agios Ioannis were collected to include this new source.  At the location, 16 scattered samples were taken for analysis, even though no direct outcrop could be identified. On the nearby island Kimolos, several more samples were found. Using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), the chemical fingerprint of the samples was measured and compared to the values in the database. All samples from Agios Ioannis were identified as either from Demenegakion or Agia Nychia, indicating that no further source of obsidian exists at the location.

PRE-HISPANIC OBSIDIAN PROCUREMENT IN THE TUXTLA MOUNTAINS, SOUTHERN VERACRUZ, MEXICO

2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. Santley ◽  
Thomas P. Barrett ◽  
Michael D. Glascock ◽  
Hector Neff
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Activation Analysis ◽  
Neutron Activation ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Material Quality ◽  
Dominant Source ◽  
Late Formative ◽  
Middle Formative ◽  
Instrumental Neutron Activation

This paper discusses the results of recent instrumental neutron-activation analysis (INNA) work identifying the obsidian sources relied upon in the Tuxtla Mountains of southern Veracruz in pre-Hispanic times. Our research indicates that Guadalupe Victoria and, secondarily, Zaragoza obsidian were the main sources imported to the Tuxtlas during the Early and Middle Formative periods. In contrast, Zaragoza became the dominant source relied upon from Late Formative times onward. Data on obsidian color and raw-material quality make it possible to extend the INAA results to the entire obsidian assemblage from the Tuxtlas.

Methodological Issues in the Provenance Investigation of Early Formative Mesoamerican Ceramics

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector Neff ◽  
Jeffrey Blomster ◽  
Michael D. Glascock ◽  
Ronald L. Bishop ◽  
M. James Blackman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Activation Analysis ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
National Academy Of Sciences ◽  
San Lorenzo ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Early Formative

AbstractA recent study of Early Formative Mesoamerican pottery by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) yielded surprising results that prompted two critiques in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The INAA study indicated that the Olmec center of San Lorenzo was a major exporter of carved-incised and white pottery and that little if any pottery made elsewhere was consumed at San Lorenzo. The critiques purport to "overturn" the INAA study and demonstrate a more balanced exchange of pottery among Early Formative centers. However, the critiques rely on a series of mistaken claims and misunderstandings that are addressed here. New petrographic data on a small sample of Early Formative pottery (Stoltman et al. 2005) are potentially useful, but they do not overturn INAA of nearly 1000 pottery samples and hundreds of raw material samples.

Trace Element Contents in Thyroid Cancer Investigated by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Activation Analysis ◽  
Neutron Activation ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Thyroid Tissue ◽  
Tissue Levels ◽  
Trace Element Contents ◽  
Element Contents

Background: Thyroid cancer is an internationally important health problem. The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate whether significant changes in the thyroid tissue levels of Ag, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, and Zn exist in the malignantly transformed thyroid. Methods: Thyroid tissue levels of ten trace elements were prospectively evaluated in 41 patients with thyroid malignant tumors and 105 healthy inhabitants. Measurements were performed using non-destructive instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of long-lived radionuclides. Tissue samples were divided into two portions. One was used for morphological study while the other was intended for trace element analysis. Results: It was found that contents of Ag, Co, Cr, Hg, and Rb were significantly higher (approximately 12.8, 1.4, 1.6, 19.6, and 1.7 times, respectively) in cancerous tissues than in normal tissues. Conclusions: There are considerable changes in trace element contents in the malignantly transformed tissue of thyroid.

Elemental analysis of medicinal plants from different sites by instrumental neutron activation analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (03) ◽  
pp. 4892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ratna Raju M.* ◽  
Madhusudhana Rao P. V. ◽  
Seshi Reddy T. ◽  
Raju M. K. ◽  
Brahmaji Rao J. S. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Activation Analysis ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Neutron Activation ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Elemental Content ◽  
Soil Composition ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometer ◽  
Instrumental Neutron Activation

A study was undertaken to evaluate the inorganic elements for humans in two Indian medicinal plants leaves, namely Sphaeranthus indicus, and Cassia fistula by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). INAA experiment was performed by using 20 kW KAMINI Reactor at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam. The emitted gamma rays were measured using gamma ray spectrometer. The concentrations of Al, Br, Ca, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Sc, V and Zn were determined in the selected medicinal plants. The medicinal leaves are using in treatment of various important ailments. The elemental content in selected medicinal leaves is various proportions depending on the soil composition, location of plant specimen and the climate in which the plant grows.

A Precolumbian Presence of Venetian Glass Trade Beads in Arctic Alaska

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Michael L. Kunz ◽  
Robin O. Mills
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Great Lakes Region ◽  
Late Prehistoric ◽  
Bering Strait ◽  
Eurasian Continent ◽  
Arctic Alaska ◽  
The Caribbean

Excavation at three Late Prehistoric Eskimo sites in arctic Alaska has revealed the presence of Venetian glass trade beads in radiocarbon-dated contexts that predate Columbus's discovery of the Western Hemisphere. The bead variety, commonly known as “Early Blue” and “Ichtucknee Plain,” has been confirmed by expert examination and comparative Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). The beads are present in sites throughout the Caribbean, the eastern coast of Central and North America, and the eastern Great Lakes region, where they are commonly found in sites dating between approximately AD 1550 and 1750, although a diminishing presence continues into the early 1800s. Beads of this variety have not previously been reported from Alaska. Ascribed to Venetian production by their precolumbian age, the beads challenge the currently accepted chronology for the development of their production methodology, availability, and presence in the Americas. In the absence of trans-Atlantic communication, the most likely route these beads traveled from Europe to northwestern Alaska is across Eurasia and over the Bering Strait. This is the first documented instance of the presence of indubitable European materials in prehistoric sites in the Western Hemisphere as the result of overland transport across the Eurasian continent.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document