Lead isotope analysis sample collection

Despite the advantages that curse tablets offer for such an analysis, there are a few problems that must be considered when analyzing these artifacts. First, only a very small portion of the curse tablet can be sampled and then used for analysis (7). Typical samples collected were only a few grams from the edge of the tablet. This limits the ability to ensure the tablets are homogenous. Furthermore, the samples were usually badly corroded (7). While this should not have an affect on the lead isotope values, it could change other trace element abundances. 

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