Abstract: The thermoluminescence (TL) method of dating stalagmitic calcite has been applied to twenty-seven samples from two paleolithic cave sites; Pontnewydd, Wales, and Caune de l'Arago, Tautavel, France Environmental dose-rates were evaluated mainly by means of CaF2 capsule burials The ages of the stalagmitic samples were independently determined by means of the uranium series disequilibrium method In general, good agreement is found between the TL and uranium series dates, which cover a range from approximately 15 000 to 300 000 years BP It is estimated that the TL method should extend to the order of a million years in good circumstances

Abstract: The potential of the electron microprobe to analyse chemically obsidian artifacts for source provenance studies is demonstrated using artifacts from four archaeological sites in Kenya.

Abstract: Optical and scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis and X-ray diffraction are used to determine the composition and microstructure of the bodies and glazes of Chinese porcelain of the Yuan dynasty from Jingdezhen, as well as samples of porcelain-stone and glaze-stone from the same region. The original mineralogical compositions of the porcelain bodies and glazes are estimated. The results indicate that the yingqing porcelain bodies were made using a kaolinised porcelain-stone whereas the underglaze blue porcelain bodies were prepared by the addition of kaolin to a kaolinite-free porcelain-stone. In both cases, the glazes were made by mixing ‘glaze-ash’ (i.e. lime) with the porcelain stone used to make the bodies.

Abstract: X-ray fluorescence analysis of modern and recent Chinese porcelains shows that the Mn/Co ratio is about 2.5 and above for those made before World War II and less than 0.7 for those made after the war.

Abstract: Fatty material from a Thule Eskimo site on Herschel Island, Yukon Territory, Canada was analyzed by gas chromatography and thin layer chromatography. The fatty acid composition of the samples was then compared with published data for a number of marine species which could have been food sources for the Thule peoples. The samples appear to be derived from seal or whale, or a mixture of these, but what is more surprising is that the fats have changed so little over the 1000 year period of their burial. See also AATA 12-764.

Abstract: Particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) has been used in analysis of ink and paper of the 42-line Bible and other early printed works. Results are reported and their significance discussed.

Abstract: The routine measurement of tungsten concentrations in pottery sampled with tungsten-carbide drill bits has enabled the measured concentrations of cobalt, tantalum, and lutetium to be corrected for drill-bit contamination The corrected data, for cobalt at least, are sufficiently accurate that they regain their value as chemical indicators of pottery provenance

Abstract: The possible use of plastic replicas in lithic use wear anaysis is explored. It can be shown that within the existing observational techniques involving metallographic light microscopes with magnifications up to 400 x that plastic replicas of flint surfaces replicate the surface at a very detailed level. It is detailed enough to permit analysis of microwear traces and can thus be used as substitutes for original tool surfaces when they for different reasons are not available and when the surface to be inspected is to curved to admit scanning with light microscope. It can also be shown that white, ligth reflecting flint surfaces is easier analyzed using a replica surface.

Abstract: The microstructures of two adzes, two hoes and a spear point from Iron Age settlement sites in the Kruper National Park have been examined. Electron microprobe analyses of the slag inclusions were also made. Some of the objects are made of high carbon steel while others have a highly variable carbon content. All appear to have been forged at relatively low temperature and then annealed at a low temperature near 700°C. None has been hardened by quenching and tempering. Some of the objects contain only traces of included slag while others have large slag inclusions. The slag compositions are quite different from those of medieval bloomery slags and are representative of African iron smelting practice in the high content of CaO, K 2 O, and Na 2 O. On the basis of the titanium content of the included slag, two of the objects are identified as made of the ore from Rooiwater and one from Phalaborwa ore.

Abstract: Sherds from the Chalcolithic levels at Teleilat Ghassul show evidence of a considerable degree of sophistication in pottery technology and design. The bodies are almost certainly made from a siliceous illitic clay which contained some calcium carbonate, and was obtained locally. Some unusual, yet common, sherds are composed of highly vitrified black bodies with a surface wash of a refractory white clay. These sherds indicate the production of one of the earliest known totally vitrified ceramic fabrics. The latter sherds have been examined in some detail by chemical, thermal and X-ray analysis, and optical and scanning electron microscopy.

Abstract: The lead, cadmium and zinc content of deciduous and permanent teeth extracted from Romano-British skulls was measured using atomic absorption spectrometry. Mineral content is reported in μg/g of samples obtained by pulverising whole teeth prior to chemical preparation and analysis. The overall levels of lead and zinc were higher in deciduous than permanent teeth. Lead levels in conservatively cleaned teeth were twice as high in deciduous compared to permanent teeth but were reduced following abrasive removal of surface enamel especially in deciduous teeth. It was concluded that the higher lead content in deciduous teeth is mainly in the outer layer of enamel.

Abstract: Field tests were conducted to determine if an object buried near the surface could be detected by monitoring the surface temperature of the soil. A series of tests using various object depths and thermal diffusivities were made with a portable infrared thermometer. In addition, a three-dimensional, implicit computer simulation was used to model and normalize the data. The method of underground detection investigated appears to be effective not only in locating a buried object but also in estimating its thermal diffusivity. Furthermore, some idea of object shape and depth can be obtained.

Abstract: In the past, studies on the average chemical composition of a sherd vs its origin have successfully been carried out, but attempts failed to reach the same goal with spot analysis (electron microprobe) on the high gloss surface of terra sigillata. When chemical data on the average composition of the surface is used for provenance determinations, significant results are obtainable on the basis of non-destructive energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (EDS-XFA). Terra sigillata from Arezzo, Lezoux, La Graufesenque and Lyon (± 20 B.C. to ± 150 A.D.) were analysed in order to determine the statistically distinctive chemical elements. It is clearly possible under favourable conditions to allocate archaeologically unknown sherds to specific pottery centres.

Abstract: A system is described whereby readings from an earth resistance meter may be recorded automatically on a small portable computer. Field tests have demonstrated that the system is more reliable and more economical than manual recording, and that the results may be processed quickly and conveniently into their final form.

Abstract: Non-destructive analysis of the major elements in copper-alloyed artifacts by prompt gamma neutron activation analysis is reported. Copper, zinc, tin and lead were measured in several ancient Roman, Greek and Iranian objects. Good agreement was found in comparison with analysis of similar objects by destructive methods.

Abstract: Chemical and petrographic studies of the two 720-ton ‘Colossi of Memnon’ located near Luxor, and of Egyptian quartzite quarries indicate that the rear pedestal blocks of the northern statue were quarried at Aswan, while the other, main components of the monuments were quarried near Cairo. Our studies suggest that the rear pedestal blocks of the northern statue were part of the reconstruction project undertaken by Roman emperor Septimius Severus. Our studies of the tilting of the statues further suggest that the rear part of the lower torso of the northern statue was moved when the statue was reconstructed. Part of the present-day tilting of the northern statue probably occurred prior to the reconstruction.

Abstract: Existing hypotheses concerning the speed and timing of the recolonisation of Britain by man after the last glaciation have largely been developed in the absence of securely-dated Later Upper Palaeolithic (LUP) sites in the marginal areas of colonisation. In Kirkhead Cave, the most important LUP site in northern England, palynological, molluscan and palaeomagnetic evidence indicate that LUP occupation did not commence until mid-pollen zone III of the Late-glacial. This suggests later and slower colonisation of marginal areas than indicated by previous hypotheses.

Abstract: The analysis by XRF applied to old coins is improved by use of monochromatic X-ray excitation of variable energy. In addition the effects of relief and irregular shape are eliminated. A method of absolute quantitative analysis without any reference standard has been set up. Results of the analysis of 52 early Greek and 4 late Roman empire gold coins are reported.

Abstract: Most of the thirty-six pewter items were found to have been made from high quality tin-rich alloys with low lead content, hardened with a small amount (0.5–3.0%) of copper; these were thought to be from the later part of the period. Three items, one with the highest copper content of all the alloys, were thought to be from the earlier part of the period. Five items with up to 2% of copper hardener but with lead levels up to 26.5% were thought to be of provincial origin. A possible correlation of alloy composition and date and place of manufacture with rim-form is discussed. A wavelength-dispersive technique was used for the analyses.

Abstract: In skeletons excavated from Woodland sites, copper and barium levels are found to have been contaminated by influx from the soil environment. Electron microprobe scans for both elements show build-up along the outer surface of femur cross sections. Elemental levels for Cu and Ba are lower in the femur or fibula than in the more porous rib. The distribution of Cu in the immediately surrounding soil is highly anisotropic. These observations indicate that Cu and Ba should not be used for dietary inferences about ancient populations without independent evidence that diagenesis is not important.

Abstract: Chemical analyses have been made of Roman wares found in Cologne and of bearded man jugs found both in Cologne and Frechen. The question of the influence of the approximately 1600 year difference in time between the manufacture of the two major groups of wares is addressed. It is concluded that the Roman wares were very probably made of Frechen clay.

Abstract: Dates from the first runs of the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit span the range from present to c. 17,000 bp, with errors (1 s.d.) from ± 100 to ± 300 years. Material dated comprises bone, wood, charcoal, seeds, organic residues in pottery, and charcoal inclusions in slag.

Abstract: A comparison is made using a 3D model between the response of the magnetic prospection (M.) response and the electromagnetic (E.M.) prospection one for the same feature. From this comparison the investigation depth of both methods is discussed. Three other main points are then studied: the influence of the shape of the feature and of the primary field, the significance of the measurements and the influence of parasites. Contrary to some preceding studies, the conclusion points out that the E.M. method is very valuable and more interesting to develop than the M. method.