scholarly journals Obsidian Source Use Within the Alföld Linear Pottery culture in Slovakia

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dagmara H. Werra ◽  
Richard E. Hughes ◽  
Marek Nowak ◽  
Marián Vizdal ◽  
Lýdia Gačková
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Glass ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
East Central Europe ◽  
East Central ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Lithic Assemblages ◽  
Edxrf Analysis ◽  
Source Use ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Obsidian Source

This paper reports the results of non-destructive energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis of 186 obsidian artifacts from eight archaeological sites attributable to the Alföld Linear Pottery Culture (c. 5600-4900 cal BC). This is the largest instrument-based study yet conducted and reported for Alföld Linear Pottery Culture (ALPC) artifacts from Slovakia, where ALPC chipped lithic assemblages are almost entirely composed of obsidian items. Results show that all obsidian artifacts analyzed were manufactured exclusively from a volcanic glass of the Carpathian 1 chemical type, the source of which has been localised in Slovakia. This chemical variety of obsidian appears to have been the most important volcanic glass used by prehistoric communities in East-Central Europe during the Neolithic.

Preclassic Obsidian Procurement and Utilization at the Maya Site of Colha, Belize

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
David O. Brown ◽  
Meredith L. Dreiss ◽  
Richard E. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Classic Period ◽  
Source Distribution ◽  
Broad Distribution ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Edxrf Analysis ◽  
Early Use ◽  
Middle Preclassic ◽  
Maya Site ◽  
San Martín ◽  
Obsidian Source

Abstract This study explores the early use of obsidian at the Maya site of Colha in northern Belize and the implications that variations in source distribution have for the site and its regional connections. Energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis of 104 specimens of obsidian from Preclassic contexts at the site identified El Chayal obsidian as the most common overall followed closely by that from San Martin Jilotepeque. Ixtepeque obsidian, not common in many Preclassic assemblages, was also strongly represented. The results revealed a Middle Preclassic dependence on San Martin obsidian gradually diminishing through the Preclassic to the Classic period, when San Martin all but disappears from the site. A corresponding increase in El Chayal obsidian use through time at Colha coincides with the rise of Kaminaljuyu in the Guatemalan highlands. Analysis of the obsidian by context indicated that El Chayal obsidian dominated in architectural and ritual deposits while Ixtepeque obsidian was the most common in workshops. San Martin accounted for a slightly greater percentage than El Chayal obsidian in middens, with Ixtepeque materials notably less common. The data indicate that Colha was connected to a broad distribution network from the Middle Preclassic onward, and that obsidian source variability was greater during the Preclassic than the subsequent Classic period.

scholarly journals Ancient basketry on the inside: X-ray computed microtomography for the non-destructive assessment of small archaeological monocotyledonous fragments: examples from Southeast Europe

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mila Andonova
Keyword(s):  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Potential Range ◽  
Southeast Europe ◽  
Ray Method ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Destructive Analysis ◽  
Computed Microtomography ◽  
X Ray Computed ◽  
Non Destructive

AbstractThis study proposes non-destructive assessment instrumentation, the X-ray MicroCT scanning, to evaluate archaeological basketry remains prior to any destructive analysis. Three case studies are originating from two archaeological sites in Southeast Europe, with three different stages of preservation (poor, sufficient and very good). In addition, there are two preservation modes—charring and desiccation—along with two conservation situations: treated and untreated with conservation agent fragments. The three different scenarios were chosen to explore the potential range of X-ray MicroCT scanning technology when applied to monocotyledonous small-sized archaeological remains. It was proved that this non-invasive X-ray method is particularly suitable for the often-disadvantaged ancient basketry remains.

An Analysis of pXRF Obsidian Source Attributions from Tikal, Guatemala

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hattula Moholy-Nagy ◽  
James Meierhoff ◽  
Mark Golitko ◽  
Caleb Kestle
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Context ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Fluorescence Spectrometry ◽  
X Ray ◽  
The Past ◽  
The City ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Obsidian Source

Portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) was used to obtain source determinations for 2,235 obsidian artifacts. These were supplemented by 48 previously published results made by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) to bring the total sample to 2,283. Thirteen geological sources have been identified by instrument to date. Three sources in Highland Guatemala accounted for nearly 98 percent of all attributions, with approximately 2 percent from 10 green and gray obsidian sources in central Mexico. Geological sources can be brought into cultural context by examining their distributions among types of artifacts, recovery contexts, structure group types, distance from the Classic period epicenter of the city, and chronological relationships. Several procurement systems operated to import obsidian cores and other artifacts. Consumers obtained obsidian artifacts primarily through marketplace exchange, but other kinds of distribution are also indicated. The reliability, portability, rapidity, ease of use, non-destructive nature, and relatively low cost of pXRF show promise for the acquisition of the source attributions needed to construct the past cultural contexts of obsidian procurement and use. This method produces results comparable to those obtained by other kinds of instrumental analysis, and with a considerably higher degree of reliability than visual determinations.

scholarly journals Ancient Basketry on the Inside: X-ray Computed Tomography for the Non-destructive Assessment of Small Archaeological Monocotyledonous Fragments. Examples from South-east Europe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mila Andonova
Keyword(s):  
Ct Scanning ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Potential Range ◽  
Ray Method ◽  
East Europe ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
South East Europe ◽  
X Ray Computed ◽  
Non Destructive

Abstract This study proposes non-destructive assessment instrumentation, being the X-ray CT scanning, for the evaluation of archaeological basketry remains prior to any destructive analysis. There are three case studies, originating from two archaeological sites in South-east Europe, with three different stages of preservation (poor, sufficient and very good). In addition, there are two preservation modes – charring and desiccation – along with two conservation situations: treated and untreated with conservation agent fragments. The three different scenarios were chosen to explore the potential range of CT scanning technology when applied to monocotyledonous small-sized archaeological remains. It was proved that this non-invasive X-ray method is particularly suitable in the case of the often-disadvantaged ancient basketry remains.

scholarly journals From petrographic analysis to stereomicroscopic characterisation: a geoarchaeological approach to identify quartzite artefacts in the Cantabrian Region

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Prieto ◽  
Iñaki Yusta ◽  
Alvaro Arrizabalaga
Keyword(s):  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Petrographic Analysis ◽  
Middle Palaeolithic ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Limited Sample ◽  
Lithic Assemblages ◽  
Cantabrian Region ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Archaeological Perspective

Abstract Several isolated studies have tried to understand quartzite from an archaeological perspective by applying two different methodological approaches. The first one is based on non-destructive characterisation, aiming to understand human procurement and management of quartzite, without solid geoarchaeological criteria. The second characterised the material from archaeological sites using only petrographic or geochemical perspectives of a limited sample. Currently, both perspectives are unconnected, creating a methodological gap that needs to be solved to study the procurement and management of quartzite in greater depth. The present study, mainly methodological, will explore the gap between petrographic analysis and non-destructive characterisation. Doing so, we could fill this vacuum of information and generate a solid geoarchaeological basis to characterise not only a sample but complete assemblages. To this end, we analyse the lithic assemblages at El Arteu and El Habario, two Middle-Palaeolithic sites in the Cantabrian Region, northern Spain. We summarise the main results derived from petrographic analysis, but especially we will focus on non-destructive criteria to characterise the lithic surfaces of archaeological quartzite using stereoscope microscopy. This process allows us to understand the complete assemblage but also, through technological characterisation, understand the management of different quartzite petrogenetic types in both sites.

Application of EDXRF Analysis to Continuous Industrial Process Monitoring

1986 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 303-307
Author(s):  
J. H. Weakliem ◽  
D. J. Kalnicky
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Process ◽  
Flow Cell ◽  
Manufacturing Processes ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Edxrf Analysis ◽  
Frequent Monitoring ◽  
On Line ◽  
Precision And Accuracy ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Speed Of Analysis

Many manufacturing processes in the chemical industry require frequent monitoring of the composition of the product. Ideally, an analysis of this type should be simple to carry out, rapid, reliable, and not require a seperate analytical laboratory. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), due to its relative simplicity of instrumentation, speed of analysis, and non-destructive nature, is well suited to on-line applications, when used in conjunction with a flow cell.A question that is frequently raised in this type of analysis is: How do the precision and accuracy of these measurements compare with measurements made upon the same solution in sample cups (static). The purpose of this study was to compare the precision and accuracy of on-line with static analyses of the same types of solutions.

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.

Highlights in the history of X-ray topography1

1995 ◽  
Vol 210 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Lang
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Domain ◽  
Diffraction Theory ◽  
Dislocation Loops ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Domain Structures ◽  
Structure Factors ◽  
History Of ◽  
Dislocation Sources ◽  
Non Destructive

AbstractX-ray topography provides a non-destructive method of mapping point-by-point variations in orientation and reflecting power within crystals. The discovery, made by several workers independently, that in nearly perfect crystals it was possible to detect individual dislocations by X-ray diffraction contrast started an epoch of rapid exploitation of X-ray topography as a new, general method for assessing crystal perfection. Another discovery, that of X-ray Pendellösung, led to important theoretical developments in X-ray diffraction theory and to a new and precise method for measuring structure factors on an absolute scale. Other highlights picked out for mention are studies of Frank-Read dislocation sources, the discovery of long dislocation helices and lines of coaxial dislocation loops in aluminium, of internal magnetic domain structures in Fe-3 wt.% Si, and of stacking faults in silicon and natural diamonds.

Stoichiometric Determination of Graphite Intercalation Compounds Using Rutherford Backscatiering Spectrometry

1983 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Salamanca-Riba ◽  
B.S. Elman ◽  
M.S. Dresselhaus ◽  
T. Venkatesan
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Error ◽  
Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry ◽  
Rutherford Backscattering ◽  
Intercalation Compounds ◽  
Graphite Intercalation Compounds ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Donor And Acceptor ◽  
Graphite Intercalation ◽  
Non Destructive

ABSTRACTRutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) is used to characterize the stoichiometry of graphite intercalation compounds (GIC). Specific application is made to several stages of different donor and acceptor compounds and to commensurate and incommensurate intercalants. A deviation from the theoretical stoichiometry is measured for most of the compounds using this non-destructive method. Within experimental error, the RBS results agree with those obtained from analysis of the (00ℓ) x-ray diffractograms and weight uptake measurements on the same samples.

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