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Project

Development of non-destructive analysis protocols for the chemical and isotopic analysis of archaeological materials

New analysis protocols for the non-destructive chemical analysis of ancient materials will be developed. Micro - X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) will be used to look at major to trace element compositions. Laser ablation – multi collector - inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS) will be used to perform isotopic analysis, focusing on Pb-Sb-Sr-Nd isotope ratios. Protocols will be developed, for both methods, custom-made to the physical-chemical properties of ancient glass and metal. This will allow the archaeometrical investigation of the earliest glass and metal from museum contexts as well as other material which is not available for destructive sampling.

By comparing the analytical data obtained in a non-destructive way to existing reference databases available from recent work of the host group at KU Leuven, questions on the origins of glass as a material can be investigated. By characterizing the technology used in the earliest glass manufacturing, and comparing the origin of mineral resources used for the glass craft to the development of the earliest metallurgy, the interrelation of pyro-technologies and how different materials instruct each other can be looked into.

Date:1 Oct 2015 →  6 May 2019
Keywords:glass, Pb isotopes, Sr isotopes
Disciplines:Geology
Project type:PhD project