Archaeometry

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Archaeometry

• Archaeology for Nerds

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Archaeometry

• Old Archaeo- and Measurement -metry
• Wide range of technological methods to measure
  physical properties of ancient materials
• Importance of applying to anthropological
  questions

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Archaeometry

• Four Broad Areas
• Chronometric Dating
• Covered in dating lecture
• Residue Analysis
• Material Characterization
• Environmental Reconstruction
• Covered in Geoarchaeology lecture

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Chronometric Dating

• Radiocarbon
• Dendrochronology
• Thermoluminescence
• Natural radioactivity trapped in crystals of
  stone/ceramic over time heating releases light
  proportional to length of time
• Archaeomagnetic
• Heated features (e.g., hearths) record
  orientation of magnetic north measuring
  divergence from that orientation to modern
  magnetic north gives length of time since last
  heating
• Obsidian Hydration
• Obsidian builds up weathering hydration layer
  at predictable rate measuring width of hydration
  gives length of time tool was exposed

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Residue Analysis

• Chromatography
• Residues sorted into individual compounds by
  retention time retention timecompound
• Mass spectroscopy
• Compounds broken into fragment ions (mass
  spectrum) specific to each compound (often used
  in conjunction with chromatography)
• Microscopy
• Visible light reflected from objects altered
  relative to sample composition (e.g., Raman
  microscopy)
• Serology
• Organic residues identified by reaction with
  known anti-bodies (most often used to identify
  blood residues)

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Material Characterization

• Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA)
• Sample bombarded with neutrons nuclei become
  unstable and emit radiation frequency of
  radiation identifies elements present
• X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)
• Sample exposed to x-rays electrons ejected from
  sample atoms remaining electrons occupy space,
  emitting radiation frequency of radiation
  identifies elements present
• Proton-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE)
• Similar to XRF but uses high energy beam of
  ionized gas to stimulate x-ray emission

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