Chemical characterization of large size archaeological clay bricks for grouping study by internal mono-standard neutron activation analysis

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The k0-based internal mono-standard neutron activation analysis (IM-NAA) method was used to analyze large size archaeological clay brick samples...     

Trace analysis of ancient gold objects using radiochemical neutron activation analysis

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis has been applied to investigate the microelements in gold samples with archaeological importance. Chemical separation has allowed the determination of traces of Ir, Os, Sb, Zn, Co, Fe, Ni. Instrumental neutron activation analysis has been used for the determination of Cu.     

Simultaneous activation determinatio of aluminium,magnesium, and silicon in rocks,glasses, and pottery

A method for simultaneous neutron activation determination of Al, Mg and Si using two irradiations in a nuclear reactor—the first one with epithermal and the second one with pile neutrons is proposed. The applicability of the method is demonstrated by the analysis of standard reference materials—rocks, glass, as well as of archaeological finds from medieval glass and sgraffito ceramics.     

Neutron activation analysis by the monostandard method

The “absolute” quantitative processing of complex gamma-ray spectra has been made possible by the use of high resolution detectors and by irradiation with a well thermalized neutron flux. So, the simultaneous determination of many stable elements, either major or trace components is possible without destruction of the sample. The results of measurements on the irradiated samples show a threefold recurrence: (1) each element appears as often as it possesses activable isotopes, under the form of ray emitting nuclides, (2) each nuclide is determined as often as it presents ditinct emission lines, (3) all measurements are repeated in time. So under these conditions and with an original computer data processing, neutron activation analysis is a powerful analytical tool. The recurrence of the results gives access to the interpretation of the origin of various errors which consequently are better estimated. If applied to the study of ancients ceramics, this method should perhaps allow to evaluate the relationship between the geochemical imprint characteristic of the artifact and the original location, or even workshop.     

MALDI‐FT‐ICR‐MS for archaeological lipid residue analysis

Soft‐ionization methods are currently at the forefront of developing novel methods for analysing degraded archaeological organic residues. Here, we present little‐used soft ionization method of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization‐Fourier transform‐ion cyclotron resonance‐mass spectrometry (MALDI‐FT‐ICR‐MS) for the identification of archaeological lipid residues. It is a high‐resolution and sensitive method with low limits of detection capable of identifying lipid compounds in small concentrations, thus providing a highly potential new technique for the analysis of degraded lipid components. A thorough methodology development for analysing cooked and degraded food remains from ceramic vessels was carried out, and the most efficient sample preparation protocol is described. The identified components, also controlled by independent parallel analysis by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and gas chromatography‐combustion‐isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC‐C‐IRMS), demonstrate its capability of identifying very different food residues including dairy, adipose fats as well as lipids of aquatic origin. The results obtained from experimentally cooked and original archaeological samples prove the suitability of MALDI‐FT‐ICR‐MS for analysing archaeological organic residues. Sample preparation protocol and identification of compounds provide future reference for analysing various aged and degraded lipid residues in different organic and mineral matrices.     

A workflow for neutron activation analysis of archaeological ceramics at the Atominstitut in Vienna,Austria

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The main focus for neutron activation analysis (NAA) at the Atominstitut in Vienna has moved to the analysis of archaeological ceramics. The...     

Neutron activation analysis of ancient Italian tile samples

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Fifteen tile samples from archaeological digs in central Italy were analyzed for trace element content using comparative neutron activation...     

Neutron resonance capture and neutron diffraction analysis of Roman bronze water taps

Parts of four Roman bronze water taps, excavated in The Netherlands consisting of two cylinders and two cylinder housings, were non-destructively investigated by neutron resonance capture analysis and by time-of-flight neutron diffraction. The two complementary neutron methods have been, for the first time, combined for providing a comprehensive alloy characterization of intact, undisturbed archaeological bronze objects. Bulk chemical analyses and phase analyses of the copper alloys were carried out in order to establish relations and differences among the taps, and to address questions of standardization and fabrication.     

Dating of some Romanian fossil bones by combined nuclear methods

A set of fossil bones from Romania has been analysed by accelerator mass spectrometry and by neutron activation analysis in order to estimate their age. The temporal attributing of Malu Rosu archaeological settlement has been extensively analyzed. The radiocarbon age, determined by accelerator mass spectrometry, for this site is 5510±200 BP. This is in agreement with the age of 6000±2000 BP, obtained by the dating method based on fluorine content, determined by neutron activation analysis.     

Chemical characterisations of Carpathian obsidian sources by instrumental and epithermal neutron activation analysis

Obsidian samples from the Tokaj Mountains (Hungary) and from the neighbouring Zemplin Hills (Slovakia) were analysed by instrumental and epithermal neutron activation analysis for obtaining a “fingerprint” for discrimination of potential natural sources of raw material that would permit tracing the origin of archaeological obsidian artefacts. These techniques fully discriminate the Zemplin Hills sources (Carpathian I, eastern Slovakia) and the Tokaj Mountain sources (Carpathian II, north-eastern Hungary) as well as these Central European sources from those already studied of the Mediterranean basin and adjacent regions.     

First elemental imaging experiments on a combined PGAI and NT setup at the Budapest Research Reactor

The European collaboration “ANCIENT CHARM” () aims to develop new non-destructive neutron techniques to image the internal composition of complex archaeological objects in order to answer various archaeological questions. Among these techniques, prompt gamma activation imaging (PGAI) and neutron tomography (NT) form a unique combination which can determine the 3D distribution of most elements in objects with a non-destructive procedure. A spatial resolution better than 2 mm has already been achieved in a moderately scattering matrix material.     

Application of instrumental neutron activation analysis to study ceramic fragments from Damascus Castle site,Syria

Summary Thirty-three archaeological ceramic fragment samples from Damascus Castle archaeological site, Damascus city, Syria, were analyzed using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). 36 elements were determined. These elemental concentrations have been processed using two multivariate statistical methods, cluster and factor analysis in order to determine similarities and correlation between the various samples. Factor analysis confirms that 84.8% of the ceramics samples classified by cluster analysis are correctly classified by cluster analysis. The results provided persuasive evidence that Castle pottery used at least four different clay sources. Moreover, by means of systematic local analysis it will be clear whether these sources are local or not.     

Neutron activation analysis of pottery samples from Abila of the Decapolis

Summary Instrumental neutron activation analyses have been performed on samples of pottery from Abila of the Decapolis (northern Jordan) ranging in age from Early Bronze to Islamic (Abassid). Preliminary results suggest several groupings of samples from each of twelve major archaeological periods, implying a common source of raw materials for ceramic manufacture at Abila for specimens within each grouping, and different sources of raw materials for specimens from different groupings.     

Trace element abundances in stone artifacts and related materials from Japan by neutron activation analysis. An approach to archaeological provenience studies

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was carried out for trace elements in green tuff cylindrical beads (KUDATAMA) and obsidians unearthed from the sites with special reference to their archaeological provenience studies. An approach based on the characteristic index elements, the correlation diagrams of some of the elements interested, and the abundance patterns of some of rare earth elements is valid for clarifying the different source regions.     

Prompt gamma activation analysis using a chopped neutron beam

A beam chopper has been developed at the cold neutron PGAA facility of the Budapest Research Reactor. In the open phase of the chopper the usual prompt gamma-spectrum is recorded, while in the decay phase short-lived decay lines can be collected with good counting statistics on an extremely low baseline. A series of elements has been measured with the chopped beam technique to assess the capabilities of the new technique. An archaeological sample was also examined, to demonstrate how spectral interferences can be resolved.     

The k 0 and relative INAA methods to determine elements in entire archaeological pottery objects

The advantages of instrumental neutron activation analysis applied to archaeological ceramics have been enhanced through the analysis of entire objects, using both the k ₀ method and the relative method, respectively, to determine the concentrations of chemical elements in aliquots of replicate objects used as comparators and in the sample object. Twenty-two chemical elements of archaeological importance were measured in mud figurines from Caral civilization (5000 year BC), irradiated inside a well-characterized radial channel facility of the nuclear research reactor at IPEN, Peru. The results showed less than 10 % of bias for most of the elements.     

Fast neutron activation analysis of rare-earth elements in monazite from Korea

The relative ans single comparator methods have been applied to determine 7 rare-earth elements and U, Th in Korean Monazites by 14.5 MeV neutron activation analysis. The (n, 2n) nuclear reactions are used for all elements except La, for which (n, p) reaction is used. Al is used as a flux monitor for the relative method and as a singlle comparator for the single comparator method. The analytical results obtained by the two methods agree well within 3% deviation except for Sm and Gd. These results are also compared with the result obtained by a single comparator method using reactor neutron.     

Prompt gamma activation analysis and time of flight neutron diffraction on ‘black boxes’ in the ‘Ancient Charm’ project

The aim of the ‘Ancient Charm’ project is combining neutron tomography, prompt gamma activation analysis, time of flight neutron diffraction and neutron resonance transmission to generate elemental, and phase compositions of complex museum objects in 3D. To develop a protocol for such investigations, complex test samples were constructed and then analyzed by each method. The ‘black boxes’ are sealed iron and aluminum walled cubes, containing 2D or 3D arrangements of materials relevant for the compositions of archaeological samples. The experimental results obtained from bulk PGAA at BNC and TOF-ND at ISIS on two selected boxes are reported.     

Cold neutron facility for prompt gamma-neutron activation analysis

The restart of the recently upgraded research reactor in Budapest is foreseen at the end of this year. A number of fast, thermal and cold neutron beams will serve for research, industrial and educational activities. One of the cold neutron guide end positions will be utilized for neutron capture prompt gamma-ray activation analysis (PGAA). Further development of the PGAA method as well as new applications in environmental research, biology and medicine are planned.     

Classification of medieval ceramics in the Rhineland and neighbouring areas by neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) is known to be well suited for provenance determinations of ceramics, since more than 25 minor and trace elements can be measured with precisions high enough to discriminate between different pottery production workshops. INAA-data are presented for more than 1500 shards, mostly wasters, produced in different places such as Brüggen/Elmpt, Brunssum/Schinveld, Frechen/Cologne, Höhr-Grenzhausen, Mayen, Paffrath, Pingsdorf/Brühl, Raeren and Siegburg, to name only the most important earthen and stoneware production centres of the Rhine area in medieval and post medieval times. It turned out, that the wares of these different centres, although by archaeological criteria often very similar, can be clearly recognized by INAA. This large reference databank can now be used to determine export pieces from these centres and to trace trade relations in the Middle Ages. An example of a provenance determination of questionable finds of Pingsdorf and Paffrath Ware from Emden is given.