Ceramics of Bolgar: the First Results of Usage of Neutron Activation Analysis

Geochemical ceramic composition dataset using neutron activation and statistical analyses

“… These are comprehensive baseline data on the geochemical composition of archeological ceramics analyzed using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The data obtained support the research article conducted to evaluate the elemental composition of 70 sherds that were collected from different locations [1] , [2] , [3] . The mass fractions in wt% and in mg/kg of 39 oxides and elements were determined, respectively.…”

“…In addition to the certified reference materials, each sample was immediately packed in aluminum cups and placed in the desiccator with the other prepared samples. The preparation of the ceramic for NAA analysis has been described in detail elsewhere by Koval [1] .…”

“…The samples were irradiated with an average power of 1.6 MW using the third channel of FLNP's pulsed nuclear reactor. The full characteristics of the channel were published by Koval [1] ; Bulavin [5] . For 14 days, the ceramic samples were irradiated to thermal and resonance neutron fluxes of Φ th =7.88×10 11 n/cm 2 s and Φ res =2.43×10 11 n/cm 2 s, respectively.…”

Formation of reference groups for archaeological pottery using neutron activation and multivariate statistical analyses

“…The samples were irradiated using the third channel of the pulsed nuclear reactor IBR−2 with an average power of 1.6 MW. The full characteristics of the used channel were published elsewhere by Bulavin et al (2015); Koval et al (2019). The ceramic samples were irradiated for 14 days with mixed fluxes of thermal and resonance neutrons Φ th = 7.88 × 10 11 n/cm 2 s and Φ res = 2.43 × 10 11 n/cm 2 s, respectively.…”

“…In other words, a comparison would be required with the so‐called reference groups. A reference group is defined as a series of analyses of ceramic sherds whose origin has been previously determined in terms of elemental composition and the proper criteria such as archaeological arguments or a chemical and petrographic correspondence with wasters, kiln findings, and local raw material (Casale et al, 2020; Dias & Prudêncio, 2007; Hoefs, 2010; Ion et al, 2016; Koval et al, 2019; Maggetti, 2001; Matin, 2019; Molodin & Mylnikova, 2015; Shennan, 1997; Sitdikov & Khaziev, 2017).…”