Physical Methods of Analysis Frequently Used in Archaeological Studies

PHYSICAL METHODS OF ANALYSIS FREQUENTLY USED IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES 

Most of the essential information on archaeological materials is derived, at the present time, using physical methods of analysis. This may include the qualitative or quantitative assessment of their composition, their provenance, the techniques used for their production, and their age. Some of the most widely used methods of chemical analysis based on physical principles are succinctly reviewed in the following paragraphs. 

Atomic absorption spectroscopy and atomic emission spectroscopy are analytical techniques in which the wavelength of radiation absorbed 

Mossbauer spectroscopy is an analytical technique that, in archaeological ceramic studies, provides information on the condition and characteristics of the compounds of iron in pottery. Using the technique makes it possible to determine the relative amounts of the different (ferrous and ferric) ions of iron and hence to ascertain the firing conditions of the pottery at the time it was made. The technique involves irradiating a sample of pottery with gamma rays and then assessing the amount of radiation absorbed by the nuclei of the ions of iron within the pottery (Feathers et al. 1998 Bearat and Pradell 1997). 

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a technique that, based on the magnetic properties of nuclei, reveals Information on the position of specific atoms within molecules. Other spectroscopic methods are based on the detection of fluorescence and phosphorescence (forms of light emission due to the selective excitation of atoms by previously absorbed electromagnetic radiation, rather than to the temperature of the emitter) to unveil information about the nature and the relative amount specific atoms in matter. 

---