Provenance studies

Trace-element analysis of metals can give indications of the geographic provenance of the material. Both emission spectroscopy (84) and activation analysis (85) have been used for this purpose. Another tool in provenance studies is the measurement of relative abundances of the lead isotopes (86,87). This technique is not restricted to metals, but can be used on any material that contains lead. Finally, for an object cast around a ceramic core, a sample of the core material can be used for thermoluminescence dating. 

Trace-element analysis, using emission spectroscopy (107) and, especially, activation analysis (108) has been appHed in provenance studies on archaeological ceramics with revolutionary results. The attribution of a certain geographic origin for the clay of an object excavated elsewhere has a direct implication on past trade and exchange relationships. 

For marble provenance studies, the most successful technique seems to be the measurement, through mass spectrometry, of the abundance ratios of the stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen (116). However, no single technique appears to provide unequivocal results, especially in cases such as the different Mediterranean sources, and a combination is often necessary to arrive at an approximate place of origin (117). 

Carbon-13 Provenance studies, study of ancient diets... 

Strontium-87 Study of ancient diets Provenance studies... 

Bigazzi, G., Z. Yegingil, T. Ercan, M. Oddone, and M. Ozdogan (1994), Provenance studies of prehistoric artifacts in eastern Anatolia Interdisciplinary research results, Mineralogica et Petrographica Acta 37,17-36. 

Cherry, J. F. and A. B. Knapp (1991), Quantitative provenance studies and Bronze Age trade in the Mediterranean Some preliminary reflections, in Gale, N. H. (ed.), Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology, Astroms, Jonsered, Vol. 40, pp. 92-111. 

Gale, N. and Z. Stos-Gale (2000), Lead isotope analysis applied to provenance studies, in Ciliberto, E. and G. Spoto (eds.), Modern Analytical Methods in Art and Archaeology, Chemical Analysis Series, Vol. 155, Wiley, New York, pp. 503-584. 

Scorzelli, R. B., S. Petrick, A. M. Rossi, G. Poupeau, and G. Bigazzi (2001), Obsidian archeological artefacts provenance studies in the western Mediterranean basin An approach by Mossbauer spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance, C. R. Acad. Sci., Series Ila, Sciences de la Terre et des Planetes, 332(12), 769-776. 

Taylor, R. J. and V. J. Robinson (1996), Provenance studies of Roman African red slip ware, Archaeometry 38, 231-255. 

Yegingil, Z. and T. Lunel (1990), Provenance studies of obsidian artifacts determined by using fission track ages and trace element analysis, Nucl. Tracks Rad. Meas. 17(3), 433. 

Bigazzi, G., Meloni, S., Oddone, M. and Radi, G. (1986). Provenance studies of obsidian artefacts trace elements and data reduction. Journal of Radio-analytical and Nuclear Chemistry Articles 98 353-363. 

Bigazzi, G., Ercan, T., Oddone, M., Ozdogan, M. and Yegingil, Z. (1993). Application of fission track dating to archaeometry provenance studies of prehistoric obsidian artifacts. Nuclear Tracks and Radiation Measurements 22 757-762. 

Hughes, R.E. and Smith, R.L. (1993). Archaeology, geology and geochemistry in obsidian provenance studies. In Effects of Scale on Archaeological and Geoscientific Perspectives, ed. Stein, J.K. and Linse, A.R., Special Papers 283, Geological Society of America, Boulder, pp. 79-91. 

Baillie, P.J. and Stern, W.B. (1984). Non-destructive surface analysis of Roman terra sigillata a possible tool in provenance studies Archaeometry 26 62-68. 

Pollard, A.M., Hatcher, H. and Symonds, R.P. (1981). Provenance studies of Rhenish pottery by comparison with terra sigillata. Revue d Archeometrie, Actes due XX Symposium International d Archeometrie, Paris 26-29 Mars 1980, Vol II, 177-185. 

Knapp, A.B. and Cherry, J.F. (1994). Provenance Studies and Bronze Age Cyprus Production, Exchange and Politico-Economic Change. Monographs in World Archaeology 21, Prehistory Press, Madison. 

Stos-Gale, Z.A., Maliotis, G., Gale, N.H. and Annetts, N. (1997). Lead isotope characteristics of the Cyprus copper ore deposits applied to provenance studies of copper oxhide ingots. Archaeometry 39 83-123. 

Beardsley, F. R., Goles, G. G., and Ayres, W. S. (1996). Provenance studies on Easter Island obsidian an archaeological application. In Archaeological Chemistry organic, inorganic and biochemical analysis, ed. Orna, M.V., ACS Symposium Series 625, Washington, DC, American Chemical Society, pp. 47-63. 

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