Showing papers in "Archaeometry in 1998"
TL;DR: Transparent high lead and tin-opacified lead-alkali glazes have been extensively used throughout Europe and the Near East from their first appearance in the Roman era and the tenth- to eleventh-century Islamic world, respectively, up until the present day as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Transparent high lead and tin-opacified lead-alkali glazes have been extensively used throughout Europe and the Near East from their first appearance in the Roman era and the tenth- to eleventh-century Islamic world, respectively, up until the present day. Using, to a large extent, information which is widely scattered through a diverse range of literature, the methods employed in the production of these two glaze types are first outlined and their merits are then compared with those of alkali glazes in terms of ease of preparation of the glaze mixture, ease of application of the glaze, ease of firing, cost of production, glaze-body fit and visual appearance. The principal advantages of transparent high lead glazes as compared to alkali glazes are shown to be ease of preparation and application of the glaze suspension, low susceptibility to glaze ‘crazing’ and ‘crawling’ and high, optical brilliance. Factors that influence the choice of tin-opacified lead-alkali glazes include ease of production of tin oxide by melting tin and lead metals together; a reduced risk of reduction of lead oxide to lead metal and consequent blackening of the glaze; and, again, low susceptibility to ‘crazing’ and ‘crawling’. Limits of current knowledge regarding these two glaze types and requirements for future research are outlined.
309 citations
TL;DR: The Vingt-cinquieme edition of the Datelist d'Archaeometry as discussed by the authors is the most recent edition of this publication, focusing on radiocarbone data.
Abstract: Vingt-cinquieme edition de la Datelist d'Archaeometry, regroupant les datations au radiocarbone realisees au laboratoire d'Oxford et concernant des restes humains de Grande-Bretagne, divers materiels archeologiques du Paleolithique et du Mesolithique provenant de Grande-Bretagne, d'Allemagne, de Russie et d'Ukraine et divers materiels archeologiques du Neolithique ou plus tardif, provenant de Grande-Bretagne, d'Irlande et d'Egypte
79 citations
TL;DR: A geophysical survey was conducted at Boden Vean, St. Anthony Meneage, Cornwall, over the site of a buried chamber thought to be the remains of a souterrain or fogou as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A geophysical survey was conducted at Boden Vean, St. Anthony Meneage, Cornwall, over the site of a buried chamber thought to be the remains of a souterrain or fogou. A combination of geophysical techniques was successfully applied including an experimental microgravity survey over the location of the buried chamber itself. Magnetometer survey revealed a complex palimpsest of archaeological activity extending throughout the surrounding landscape, centred on a rectangular ditched enclosure containing the fogou. A series of gravity anomalies were recorded in the vicinity of the latter which were consistent with the collapsed section of the feature recorded by the Cornish Archaeological Unit. Further gravity anomalies suggested the presence of additional void features, possibly related to the extended passages of the fogou.
32 citations
TL;DR: This paper presented des datations radiocarbones effectuees au laboratoire de recherche de l'universite d'Oxford depuis le debut of l'annee 1995, mais comprenant egalement certaines mesures faites auparavant.
Abstract: Presentation des datations radiocarbones effectuees au laboratoire de recherche de l'universite d'Oxford depuis le debut de l'annee 1995, mais comprenant egalement certaines mesures faites auparavant.
31 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that transition metals, not rare earth elements, make the greatest contribution in characterizing steatite sources in the Middle Atlantic region of eastern North America.
Abstract: Doubts have recently been cast on the ability to characterize steatite sources using rare earth elements (REEs). By increasing the number of samples and elements examined using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and multivariate statistics, this study shows that, with unhomogenized samples, transition metals, not REEs, make the greatest contribution in characterizing steatite sources in the Middle Atlantic region of eastern North America. Preliminary results suggest that INAA has the potential to assign provenance to steatite artefacts, at least at a regional level.
29 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, Hertzian strength and wear resistance were measured on the same specimen, of small size, and it was shown that these tests can describe, to a good approximation, the basic ceramic mechanical propertics (strength and toughness).
Abstract: Mechanical performance of ceramics can be measured by various techniques. Conventional testing usually requires multiple samples of large size and specific geometries and for this reason cannot be usually applied directly to ancient pottery. However, Hertzian strength and wear resistance can be measured on the same specimen, of small size, and it is shown that these tests can describe, to a good approximation, the basic ceramic mechanical propertics (strength and toughness). Therefore, these tests are proposed for use on archaeological specimens. An application on Punic amphorae found in Corinth is presented.
29 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a selection of Roman military fittings and associated copper-alloy artefacts was analysed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy and the method used was a variant on those previously published and gives very good precision and accuracy.
Abstract: A selection of Roman military fittings and associated copper-alloy artefacts was analysed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. The method used was a variant on those previously published and gives very good precision and accuracy. The Roman metalwork analysed conforms extremely well to similar artefacts analysed from, contemporaneous European sites and suggests, despite the strongly ‘local’ nature of the Judaean legions, a considerable uniformity of alloying practice within the Roman army during the first century AD.
28 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the intaglios on quartz cylinder seals from Western Asia were found to have been engraved by micro-chipping, filing, drilling and wheel-cutting.
Abstract: Previous observations of the intaglios on quartz cylinder seals from Western Asia suggested that they had been engraved by one or more of four basic techniques, that is, micro-chipping, filing, drilling and wheel-cutting. In this paper we test our earlier observations and interpretations experimentally. Examination and comparison of experimentally engraved features with the seal intaglios was made directly with a binocular microscope and also by examination of impressions with a scanning electron microscope. Successful replication was achieved using tools of flint, chalcedony, copper, bronze and iron together with quartz and emery abrasives.
24 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique was employed to study non-destructively the surface of 66 samples of Chinese porcelain, of different periods and origins, and determine the contents of 13 chemical elements.
Abstract: The energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique was employed to study non-destructively the surface of 66 samples of Chinese porcelain, of different periods and origins, and determine the contents of 13 chemical elements, namely, Ti, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Pb, Rb, Sr, Y and Zr. Principal components analysis was performed on these 13 variables, and scatter plots, incorporating the first, second and third principal components, used to study the clustering behaviour of the data. Based on these results, discriminant analysis was then performed on the data, and discriminant functions established for attributing the period and origin of the porcelains.
24 citations
TL;DR: One hundred and fifty-seven sherds of Campanian pottery were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and flame emission spectrograph (FES) as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: One hundred and fifty-seven sherds of Campanian pottery were analysed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and flame emission spectroscopy (FES). The sherds were found in the course of archaeological excavations carried out at the sites of Sibari, Cosenza, Crotone, Locri, Reggio and Oppido Mamertina in southern Italy (ancient Bruttium, today Calabria). Analyses were carried out on dissolved samples, determining 15 elements per sample (Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Ti, Mn, Sr, Ba, Cr, Cu, Y, La and Sc by ICP-OES, and Na and K by FES). Analytical data were subject to multivariate statistical treatment by hierarchical cluster analysis and principal components analysis. Results indicated different compositional groups, allowing one to separate suspected imports from Campania, Etruria and Sicily from each other and from likely local products. The latter could be further classified into different groups, comprising imitations of foreign forms as well as original local products.
21 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe quantitative measurements on the thermoluminescence of many single grains, made with an imaging photon detector, and identify the most probable explanation for these grains.
Abstract: In this paper we describe quantitative measurements on the thermoluminescence of many single grains, made with an imaging photon detector. In several of the sediments examined a few bright grains were found which had a high equivalent dose (ED). Physical measurements made on these grains using binocular microscopy and analytical scanning microscopy enabled several possible explanations for the causes of the high ED grains to be rejected. Insufficient bleaching at deposition or the intrusion of grains from an older sediment were identified as the most probable explanation for these grains.
TL;DR: The White Pine mine suite contains one of the world's most valuable copper mines as discussed by the authors, containing three orders of magnitude of magnitude more copper than any other mine suite in the world.
Abstract: Tonltto, Onturio, M55 -1E5. Cunutla Eigltv-.fire .sunrple,s o.l'native copper.front the White Pine mine in upper Michi,qun trert, utrult'.sed b| rteutron ttc'tit,atiort to tlocument geochenricul t,uriubilitt'rt,ithin tt single lrculity. Silver, sotliLtttt, tttttitttttttt ttntl scundium contents rtot')1 bl: ttu-o ortler.s of mttgttitule, v,hereu,s ursertit't'alues vurv h,u three orders oJ'magnitude. This t,uriabilitt reinfnrce.s the neetl frtr pro|ettuttce sttrclies ofurtefacts to exumine .sfficient samples to te,il rt)r heterogeneitt, tt:ithin tlte source ureu. The White Pine suite contains sone o.f the ntost intpure ncttit,e copper thnt luts beert urtult'sed to dttte. Ar.Eenic: utttl silver values o.f these impure suntples ot,erlttyt tt.ith th,.se o.f' Ettrolteutr (oppers, bttt c'ortsicleration oJ'several elements con ,\till rlistirtguish ncrtit,e ('opper .from Europeon clpper.
TL;DR: Combining multivariate techniques with networks for data validation, pre-processing and classification exploits the merits of both and provides a comprehensive approach to the analysis and classification of archaeological data.
Abstract: Artificial neural networks (ANN) offer a supplement to traditional classification algorithms applied to archaeological data. Because of their flexible architecture, non-linearity and independence from the distribution of the underlying data, neural networks have unique advantages for such applications. In particular, ANN models are well suited for use with the sparse data sets common in archaeological work. Combining multivariate techniques with networks for data validation, pre-processing and classification exploits the merits of both and provides a comprehensive approach to the analysis and classification of archaeological data.
TL;DR: A recent restorations of Trajan's Column uncovered two marble fragments bearing traces of pigments, bright red (minium, hematite) in one case, and yellowish-orange (mine, clay minerals) in the other as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Recent restorations of Trajan's Column uncovered two marble fragments bearing traces of pigments, bright red (minium, hematite) in one case, and yellowish-orange (minium, hematite, clay minerals) in the other. Both were applied to the marble surface on a plaster underlayer. The presence of an underlayer and of surfaces coloured according to subject tells us that the colours were applied deliberately. Although the use of minium plus hematite is confirmed by archaeological finds, there is only a good probability that the colours were applied on the column at the time of its completion.
TL;DR: In this article, a preliminary approach to the integration of archaeological evidence and various chemical analyses (phosphorus and lipid) on sediments and ceramics was proposed, and the results of both types of analysis point to a predominantly domestic function for this structure.
Abstract: This paper proposes a preliminary approach to the integration of archaeological evidence and various chemical analyses (phosphorus and lipid) on sediments and ceramics. Phosphorus and organic matter analyses are, thus, used for the study of sediments, and lipid analyses for pottery from structure 19 of the Late Neolithic—Early Copper site known as ‘Polideportivo’, Martos, southern Spain. The results of both types of analysis point to a predominantly domestic function for this structure.
TL;DR: A list of dates provenant d'echantillons de collagene preleves sur des ossements d'animaux datent au moins du Neolithique is presented in this paper.
Abstract: Liste des dates provenant d'echantillons de Grande-Bretagne, d'Italie, de Malte, du Pakistan, de Pologne, de Russie et du Soudan, d'Oman. Ces echantillons de collagene preleves sur des ossements d'animaux datent au moins du Neolithique. Les AA expliquent la methode utilisee en introduction. Cette liste de dates complete la liste XXIV publiee dans Archaeometry.
TL;DR: In this article, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses of metals, glasses and enamels from the Corona Ferrea, or Iron Crown, of Monza are reported.
Abstract: X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses of metals, glasses and enamels from the Corona Ferrea, or Iron Crown, of Monza are reported. The method followed to obtain quantitative analysis of metal alloys was based on comparison with standards and it is framed on the more general problem of XRF quantitative analysis of irregularly shaped objects with a portable instrument. Preliminary radiocarbon dating results are also reported.
TL;DR: The PIXE nuclear microprobe at Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, USA has been used to analyze twenty-four cast copper crotals (commonly called bells), one "spilled bell", one tinkler bell and a number of minerals from locations throughout the Greater Southwest and Mexico as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Twenty-four cast copper crotals (commonly called bells), one 'spilled bell', one tinkler bell and a number of minerals from locations throughout the Greater Southwest were analysed for their elemental composition by a PIXE nuclear microprobe at Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, USA. Sixteen bells contained minor and trace amounts of silver, antimony, arsenic, lead, and in some cases tin, strontium, and selenium. Nine bells contained little or no detectable amounts of these elements. This suggests that several workshops throughout the Greater Southwest and Mexico might have manufactured these bells.
TL;DR: In this article, the Mossbauer spectra of prehistoric pottery and clay from the Malden Plain of south-eastern Missouri, USA was examined and most samples of clay and sherds contained both ferric and ferrous species.
Abstract: The Mossbauer spectra of prehistoric pottery and clay from the Malden Plain of south-eastern Missouri, USA, were examined. The pottery dates from AD 500 to 1400. The earlier sherds were tempered with sand and the later ones with shell. The sherds and clay contain a mixture of illite, smectite, and kaolinite. Most samples of clay and sherds contained both ferric and ferrous species. The spectral parameters for the ferric species were %DLEQ∼0. 7—1.1 mms-1 and δ∼0.0–0.3 mms-1 for the ferrous species, ΔEQ∼2.1–2.7mms-1 and δ∼0.7–1.0mms-1. The ferric to ferrous ratio is more accurately determined from the spectra than from consideration of the colour or the firing core of the sherds, which are not always related to the iron species ratio. Differences among sherds in the ferrous ΔEQ can be related to original temperature of heating but with low precision.
TL;DR: In this paper, known-age samples from fired structures and sediments from archaeological sites near Xi'an, China were used to study the direction of the past geomagnetic field.
Abstract: Archaeomagnetic and mineral magnetic studies were made of known-age samples from fired structures and sediments from archaeological sites near Xi'an, China. The fired materials retained a stable record of the direction of the past geomagnetic field, which compared well with previous investigations and could contribute to an archaeomagnetic calibration curve. However, discrepancies with documented observations of the field were noted.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a method for the interpretation of quantitative petrographic data and chemical composition data from amphorae found in Lyons with the aim of determining whether or not they are of local production.
Abstract: This paper briefly presents a method for the interpretation of quantitative petrographic data and chemical composition data from amphorae found in Lyons with the aim of determining whether or not the amphorae are of local production. We will try to define the exact place of each argument in our reasoning about the attribution of the origin of these ceramics, while insisting on the zones of uncertainty for each method. It is important to emphasize here that in assigning the origin of the Lyons amphorae all the arguments must be used conjointly. The presence of rhyolite in the temper is not enough to determine the Lyons origin of an amphora, and the geochemical arguments are often insufficient to make a decision. It is a reasoned application of petrographic, geochemical and archaeological arguments which enables us to pronounce an attribution.
TL;DR: In this article, the remains of an aqueduct from the Copper Age settlement of Los Millares have been studied, and the isotope results show that it was used for hot water transport or as a container for water exposed to evaporation processes.
Abstract: Remains of an aqueduct from the Copper Age settlement of Los Millares have been studied. The isotope results (-7%o < 6”O - 5.3%0) show that the aqueduct was used to transport fresh water at room temperature. The results are inconsistent with the aqueduct being used for hot water transport or as a container for water exposed to evaporation processes. Both isotopic and mineralogical results were useful in identifiing the origin and use of building materials and also in determining climatic conditions during the time of the settlement occupation.
TL;DR: In this paper, an examination of stonewares from the Takatori kilns of seventeenth-to-nineteenth-century Chikuzen Province, Kyushu, Japan was carried out to determine the mineralogy and chemical compositions of the ceramic bodies.
Abstract: This study reports the findings of an examination of stonewares from the Takatori kilns of seventeenth- to nineteenth-century Chikuzen Province, Kyushu, Japan. Scanning electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy were used to determine the mineralogy and chemical compositions of the ceramic bodies. The results of this broad characterization are used to comment on the relationships between these wares and the raw materials used. Despite close similarities in some cases, it is possible to distinguish the wares of many of these kilns from each other and from outwardly similar wares from contemporary kilns in adjacent provinces.
TL;DR: An Egyptian metal vase from the Ptolemaic period was investigated metallurgically and fractographically as mentioned in this paper, showing that despite its high purity, the metal is severely embrittled and cracked, mainly along grain boundaries.
Abstract: An Egyptian metal vase from the Ptolemaic period was investigated metallurgically and fractographically. The metal is nearly pure silver. Despite its high purity (in archaeological terms) it is severely embrittled and cracked, mainly along grain boundaries. Factors contributing to this damage are work-hardening and residual microstructural deformation (slip and twinning), corrosion along slip lines and twin boundaries, corrosion in bands that are the remains of coring, large equiaxed grains, externally applied forces and internal residual stresses. The metal is now friable. This must be taken into account during any further restoration of the vase: a procedure is suggested.
TL;DR: In this paper, colour coordinates were determined on samples of six clays previously fired, and then refired, in the temperature range 600-1100°C, and significant variations of colour hue and saturation were normally observed on refired samples only after the original firing temperature had been exceeded; less reliable information was provided by luminosity.
Abstract: Colour measurement was investigated as a means to evaluate equivalent firing temperatures of ancient pottery. Colour coordinates were determined on samples of six clays previously fired, and then refired, in the temperature range 600–1100°C. Under the adopted conditions, significant variations of colour hue and saturation were normally observed on refired samples only after the original firing temperature had been exceeded; less reliable information was provided by luminosity. Original firing temperatures of clay samples were correctly recognized in most cases by projecting the points representing samples’ colour on to the a*b* plane of the ClEL*a*b* colour space.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used Rietveld phase analysis of X-ray powder diffraction patterns and chemical analysis by Xray fluorescence spectroscopy to characterize a series of red and yellow ochre samples.
Abstract: Rietveld phase analysis of X-ray powder diffraction patterns and chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy have been used to characterize a series of red and yellow ochre samples from Aboriginal ochre deposits in South and Western Australia. The ochres were found to have diverse mineralogy, being mixtures of up to seven minerals, and also to have complex trace element signatures. The mineralogical characteristics and geochemistry of the ochres can be used to identify the source quarries. Using this combination of analytical techniques it may be possible to trace the source of ochres in burial sites and on objects back to the original quarries.
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of quartz temper on the physical and mechanical properties of clay ceramics and the elucidation of the underlying mechanisms that are responsible for these effects are presented.
Abstract: The effect of quartz temper on the physical and mechanical properties of clay ceramics and the elucidation of the underlying mechanisms that are responsible for these effects are presented here. Characteristics studied included bulk density, open and closed porosity, density of impervious portion and fracture morphology. Mechanical behaviour was studied by measuring energy dissipation during fracture, Young's modulus, initial fracture toughness and strength in flexure. The significant increase in toughness with quartz volume fraction is explained by the development of a model that accounts for the crack distribution around the grains. The archaeological implications of the work are discussed on the basis of all the parameters that might affect the potter's choices of raw materials.