Cold Neutron Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis—a Non‐destructive Method for Characterization of High Silica Content Chipped Stone Tools and Raw Materials*

Abstract

Recently, several archaeometrical projects have been started on the prehistoric collection of the Hungarian National Museum. Among the analytical methods applied, non-destructive prompt gamma activation analysis has a special importance. We have also tested the potential of this method on chipped stone tools, with the aim of determining their exact provenance. On the basis of major and trace element components, characterizations of stone tools and their raw materials-silicites ( flint, chert, radiolarite and hornstone) as well as volcanites (felsitic porphyry and obsidian)-were performed. We discuss some important results concerning each group, as case studies. Compiling the data set of different PGAA analysis series, compositions of 110 samples are reported, including 76 archaeological pieces. In the future, we plan to extend the number of investigated objects in each class.

Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis of the Nyírlugos obsidian core depot find

“…According to bivariate plots of certain elements, as well as Principal Component Analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis, the cores fit in a closely clustered data set. In our earlier studies (Kasztovszky et al 2008(Kasztovszky et al , 2009), we have found that the most characteristic elements for fingerprinting, measurable with PGAA, are B and Cl. As it was expected, B-and Cl-contents of the rocks make possible to determine the provenance of the cores.…”

“…Its most important feature from the point of archaeologists that there is no residual radioactivity or damage on any scale is caused during the investigation. In our obsidian provenance research, about 160 archaeological pieces from today's Hungary, Croatia, Romania, Serbia and Poland and 140 geological references from 12 major European source regions were analysed in the PGAA Laboratory of the Budapest Neutron Centre so far (Kasztovszky et al 2008(Kasztovszky et al , 2009). The 11 giant obsidian cores have been analysed at the NIPS-NORMA station of the 2.7×10 7 n -1 .cm -2 intensity intensity horizontal cold neutron beam.…”

“…Fortunately, due to advantages of the non-destructive Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA) analytical technique (Révay 2009), we are able to quantify major chemical components and some key trace elements of stone artefacts with adequate accuracy. The compositional data obtained by PGAA helps us to successfully determine provenance of obsidian , 2006Kasztovszky et al 2008). Furthermore, recent methodological development at the Neutron Induced Prompt Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy -Neutron Optics and Radiography for Material Analysis (NIPS-NORMA) experimental station operated by the Budapest PGAA Laboratory also facilitated the study of relatively large objects like the Nyírlugos cores without any sample preparation or destruction (Szentmiklósi et al 2013).…”

In the footsteps of Pliny: tracing the sources of Garamantian carnelian from Fazzan, south-west Libya

“…Valuable trace element concentrations were provided in a total of 20 archaeometric papers (Aspinall and Feather 1972;De Bruin et al, 1972;Luedtke 1978;Craddock et al, 1983;Hess 1996;Cackler et al, 1999;Nathan et al, 1999;Lyons et al, 2003;Glascock 2004;Insoll et al, 2004;Evans and Donahue 2005;Evans et al, 2007;Kasztovszky et al, 2008;Navazo et al, 2008;Huckell et al, 2011;Olofsson and Rodushkin 2011;Law et al, 2012;Pettitt et al, 2012;Pitblado et al, 2013;ten Bruggencate et al, 2013). After exclusion of those papers omitting data or including data that are incompatible because of instrumental protocols, it was possible to define a set of 12 papers reporting more than 1041 silica samples, including agate (80), chalcedony (11), chert (319), flint (189), opal (25) and quartzite (402).…”

The Danube Corridor Hypothesis and the Carpathian Basin: Geological, Environmental and Archaeological Approaches to Characterizing Aurignacian Dynamics

“…At Acsa-Rovnya, excavations in 2001-2004 yielded over 500 artifacts, notable for many endscrapers on blades (Dobosi 2008(Dobosi , 2013. Many locales in nearby Galgagyörk have also yielded alleged Aurignacian finds that have been typologically separated from the background palimpsest, though they are few and always made on lower quality Szeletian felsitic porphyry (Kasztovszky et al 2008;Markó et al 2002).…”