Analytical methods archaeological materials

Jose-Yacaman, M. and J. A. Ascencio (2000), Electron microscopy and its application to the study of archaeological materials and art preservation, in Ciliberto, E. and G. Spoto (eds.), Modern Analytical Methods in Art and Archaeology, Chemical Analysis Series, Vol. 155, Wiley, New York, pp. 405-443. 

Two basic requirements must be met for the instrumental technique when it is applied in art conservation research sensitivity, for obtaining relevant data from small samples on the nano, micro or mill (-gram, -meter) scale and specificity, for unambiguously identifying compounds and quantifying the analytes from the complex mixtures of substances that form the materials present in the monument or artwork. Other requirements are also desirable for an analytical method when it is applied to objects of artistic, historic, and archaeological nature according to Lahanier et al. [2], these are ... 

Use of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (1CP-MS) coupled to a laser-ablation sample introduction system (LA-ICP-MS) as a minimally destructive method for chemical characterization of archaeological materials has gained favor during the past few years. Although still a relatively new analytical technique in archaeology, LA-ICP-MS has been demonstrated to be a productive avenue of research for chemical characterization of obsidian, chert, pottery, painted and glazed surfaces, and human bone and teeth. Archaeological applications of LA-ICP-MS and comparisons with other analytical methods are described. 

The main object of archaeology is the study of human activity in the past however, the evidence upon which this relies is entirely provided by the material remains that still survive. To connect two subjects so far apart draws on a wide range of analytical methods to extract often unexpected forms of information from recalcitrant and sometimes unique material. Furthermore, analytical results usually require interpretation within a context that can be quite specialized, although overlaps with palaeoecology or geochemistry or palaeoclimate are common. 

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