Provenance Study of Venezuelan Pre-Columbian Ceramics Employing Radioisotope X-Ray Fluorescence

1988 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
pp. 1482-1487 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Labrecque ◽  
J. E. Vaz ◽  
K. Tarble ◽  
P. A. Rosales
Keyword(s):  
Source Area ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Provenance Study ◽  
Archaeological Ceramics ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Provenance Studies ◽  
Better Than

Radioisotope x-ray fluorescence analysis was performed to determine normalized elemental intensities for pre-Columbian sherds and roller stamps from different archaeological sites in the Middle Orinoco region of Venezuela. These normalized intensities were used to construct three-component (Triangle) graphs separating the sherds into three groups based on their known origin. The three-component graphs were: (Zn, Sr, Zr), (Rb, Sr, Zr), and ( A, Sr, Zr), where A = Cu + Zn + Pb normalized intensities. The total precision was shown to be better than 5% absolute for all cases studied. It was concluded that two of the roller stamps found at one site were probably manufactured in a different source area. This lends support to the notion that the roller stamps were a trade item in late pre-Columbian times (1000–1400 A.D.). The method applied in this study using a 109Cd (2 mCi) source seems to be appropriate for provenance studies of archaeological ceramics where many samples are processed, because it has the inherent advantages of being simple, economical, and rapid.

Methods of Faience Manufacture in Antiquity: Investigation of Colorants and Technological Processes

2011 ◽  
Vol 1319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley Frame ◽  
Donna Bright DeSordao ◽  
Yuan-Chi Chiang ◽  
Pamela Vandiver
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Production Methods ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Technological Processes ◽  
Indus Valley ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Similar Processing

ABSTRACTFaience production methods include efflorescence, direct glaze application, and cementation glazing. However, similar processing has been used with a variety of other materials, such as glazed monolithic quartz, ground and re-fired faience, and steatite bodies. Furthermore, faience technology has been linked by similar processing to glass, synthetic pigment and glazing technologies. Here we reinforce these cross-craft relationships by comparing the range of similar functioning chemical elements in faience and glazed artifacts from a variety of archaeological sites that range from the Indus Valley to the Mediterranean. This broad comparative method based primarily on x-ray fluorescence analysis reveals trends in faience production, relationships with metallurgical technologies, and aspects of processing that provide areas of study that may be considered more closely in the future.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of X-ray fluorescence methods for elemental composition determination of the archaeological ceramics from low sample quantity

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-33
Author(s):  
G. V. Pashkova ◽  
◽  
M. M. Mukhamedova ◽  
V. M. Chubarov ◽  
A. S. Maltsev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elemental Composition ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Bulk Composition ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Total Reflection ◽  
Late Neolithic ◽  
Burial Site ◽  
Archaeological Ceramics ◽  
X Ray

Wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (WDXRF) and total-reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) analysis were applied to study the elemental composition of the Late Neolithic ancient ceramics collected at the Popovsky Lug burial site (Kachug, Upper Lena river, Russia). Semi-quantitative non-destructive analysis of ceramic pieces showed that measurements of the upper and lower sides of the ceramic are less informative than the measurement of its cut. Various sample preparation techniques for the low quantity of crushed ceramics such as fusion, pressing and preparation of suspensions were compared to preserve the material. Samples were prepared as 150 mg fused beads and 250 mg pressed pellets for WDXRF, and as suspensions of 20 mg sample based on the aqueous solution of the Triton X-100 surfactant for TXRF. Certified methods were used to validate the obtained contents of rock-forming oxides and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to confirm the results of trace elements determination. Based on the carried-out studies, a combination of the wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (glass) and total-reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis (suspension) methods was chosen to obtain the data on the elemental bulk composition of archaeological ceramics. The proposed combination allowed the quantitative determination of Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Pb, and Ba from the sample of crushed ceramics weighing only about 170 mg.

The Recessed Source Geometry for Source Excited X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis

1985 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 545-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. N. Conde ◽  
J. M. F. dos Santos
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Energy Dispersive ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Edxrf Analysis ◽  
Source Distance ◽  
Source Geometry ◽  
Annular Source ◽  
Better Than

AbstractDifferent geometries are considered for source excited energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis Systems, including the recessed source geometry introduced in the present work. The calculated physical excitation-detection efficiencies, for the side (or annular), central, receded and recessed source geometries are presented as a function of the target to source distance, for Ca, K, S and Si targets excited with a Fe-55 XBF-3 X-ray source and xenon filled gas proportional scintillation counters. The last two geometries present in gênerai the highest efficiencies. The recessed source geometry présent the best performance with peak efficiencies a factor of 3.3 better than those for the standard side or annular source geometries.

A Rapid and Precise Computer Method for Qualitative X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis

1980 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 407-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. C. Huang ◽  
W. Parrish ◽  
G. L. Ayers
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Computer Method ◽  
Spectral Lines ◽  
Energy Dispersive ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Xrf Analysis ◽  
Speed Computer ◽  
Better Than

AbstractThis paper describes a computer method for wavelength dispersive (WD) qualitative X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. It determines the elements, spectral lines, wavelengths, reflection angles and peak intensities of the first and second order reflections in less than half a minute of time using an IBM Series/1 minicomputer. The resolution and precision are significantly better than the energy dispersive (ED) method and when combined with high speed computer recording the speed is comparable.

scholarly journals Provenance Study of Archaeological Ceramics from Syria Using XRF Multivariate Statistical Analysis and Thermoluminescence Dating

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Elias Hanna Bakraji ◽  
Rana Abboud ◽  
Haissm Issa
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Multivariate Statistical Methods ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Archaeological Ceramics ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Thermoluminescence Dating ◽  
Three Samples ◽  
Middle Bronze Age

Thermoluminescence (TL) dating and multivariate statistical methods based on radioisotope X-ray fluorescence analysis have been utilized to date and classify Syrian archaeological ceramics fragment from Tel Jamous site. 54 samples were analyzed by radioisotope X-ray fluorescence; 51 of them come from Tel Jamous archaeological site in Sahel Akkar region, Syria, which fairly represent ceramics belonging to the Middle Bronze Age (2150 to 1600 B.C.) and the remaining three samples come from Mar-Takla archaeological site fairly representative of the Byzantine ceramics. We have selected four fragments from Tel Jamous site to determinate their age using thermoluminescence (TL) method; the results revealed that the date assigned by archaeologists was good. An annular 109Cd radioactive source was used to irradiate the samples in order to determine their chemical composition and the results were treated statistically using two methods, cluster and factor analysis. This treatment revealed two main groups; the first one contains only the three samples M52, M53, and M54 from Mar-Takla site, and the second one contains samples that belong to Tel Jamous site (local).

Proton Induced X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis Using a Cockcroft-Walton Accelerator

1974 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 299-308
Author(s):  
D. I. Bales ◽  
R. R. Landolt ◽  
W. E. Toll
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Water Sample ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Proton Energy ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Beam Currents ◽  
Better Than

AbstractThe production of characteristic x rays by 100-keV protons has been studied to determine the feasibility of using a Cockcroft- Walton accelerator as an excitation source for x ray fluorescence analysis. Because of the low cross sections at this proton energy, it was necessary to concentrate on characteristic x rays below 6 keV and to use beam currents of 10 to 100 μA. The x rays were measured by a high resolution Si(Li) detector.The preparation of various types of samples and the problems that arise when working at low proton energies and high beam currents are discussed.It was found that the technique is useful for low atomic number elements down to less than 1 ppm in a water sample when there are no other significant impurities. When other elements are present, however, proton absorption becomes an important factor and quantitative determinations become very difficult. Proton absorption and its effect upon the usefulness of the technique are discussed.The precision for the technique was determined and found to be better than 20% for most measurements. This includes errors in sample preparation which was considered to be a significant portion of the uncertainty.

An x-ray microprobe based upon a close-coupled focal-spot / glass capillary arrangement

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 1758-1759
Author(s):  
D. A. Carpenter ◽  
M. A. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Specimen Preparation ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Glass Capillary ◽  
Close Coupling ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Point To Point ◽  
Beam Damage

The development of intense sources of x rays has led to renewed interest in the use of microbeams of x rays in x-ray fluorescence analysis. Sparks pointed out that the use of x rays as a probe offered the advantages of high sensitivity, low detection limits, low beam damage, and large penetration depths with minimal specimen preparation or perturbation. In addition, the option of air operation provided special advantages for examination of hydrated systems or for nondestructive microanalysis of large specimens.The disadvantages of synchrotron sources prompted the development of laboratory-based instrumentation with various schemes to maximize the beam flux while maintaining small point-to-point resolution. Nichols and Ryon developed a microprobe using a rotating anode source and a modified microdiffractometer. Cross and Wherry showed that by close-coupling the x-ray source, specimen, and detector, good intensities could be obtained for beam sizes between 30 and 100μm. More importantly, both groups combined specimen scanning with modern imaging techniques for rapid element mapping.

Preparation And elemental analysis of ancient fibers

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 410-411
Author(s):  
Allen Angel ◽  
Kathryn A. Jakes
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Energy Dispersive ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Backscattered Electron ◽  
Electron Imaging

Fabrics recovered from archaeological sites often are so badly degraded that fiber identification based on physical morphology is difficult. Although diagenetic changes may be viewed as destructive to factors necessary for the discernment of fiber information, changes occurring during any stage of a fiber's lifetime leave a record within the fiber's chemical and physical structure. These alterations may offer valuable clues to understanding the conditions of the fiber's growth, fiber preparation and fabric processing technology and conditions of burial or long term storage (1).Energy dispersive spectrometry has been reported to be suitable for determination of mordant treatment on historic fibers (2,3) and has been used to characterize metal wrapping of combination yarns (4,5). In this study, a technique is developed which provides fractured cross sections of fibers for x-ray analysis and elemental mapping. In addition, backscattered electron imaging (BSI) and energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDS) are utilized to correlate elements to their distribution in fibers.

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