Peruvian artifacts

Techniques for analysis and sample preparation have been developed for using spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS) to study archaeological samples. Comparative studies of neutron activation and SSMS on identical samples have been made. The technique is used to determine the ores of origin of two series of early Peruvian artifacts. 

In addition, a series of early Peruvian artifacts were analyzed and assigned to ore types by the program. The results are shown in Table IV. The early samples have a high probability of being simple type I ores, and the latter are apparently more complex mixtures. 

As mentioned earlier, any information obtained from the artifacts of a preliterate society helps us to understand them. There is another very important reason to determine the nature of the dyes used in museum textiles. This applies particularly to textiles which are to be exhibited. Thanks to the work of Padfield and Landi (15), we have a reasonable amount of information about the lightfastness of natural dyes. With some exceptions, indigo, madder, and cochineal are the most important they have relatively poor lightfastness. We shall have to determine the fastness of the yarns dyed from Peruvian plants. When we know these facts, we can then help the curator or conservator to make decisions regarding exhibition, lighting, conditions of storage, and safety of conservation treatments. 

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