Neutron Activation Analysis and Archaeology

Ashworth, Michael J.; Abeles, Thomas P.

doi:10.1038/210009a0

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…These studies usually combine NDT and destructive testing methods, for example, LM and SEM observation of metallographic samples, particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis [ 19 , 22 , 23 , 27 , 28 ]. Some possible NDT methods that can be applied for elemental bulk analysis of silver coins are the neutron activation analysis (NAA) and the prompt-gamma activation analysis (PGAA) [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Yet these methods have some limitations resulting from the high cross section for neutron capture by silver itself, and therefore the silver data would prevent revealing trace elements that could be useful fingerprint variations in the minting process.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Archaeometallurgical Analysis of the Provincial Silver Coinage of Judah: More on the Chaîne Opératoire of the Minting Process

Cohen

Ashkenazi

Gitler³

et al. 2023

Materials

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Silver coins were the first coins to be manufactured by mass production in the southern Levant. An assemblage of tiny provincial silver coins of the local (Judahite standard) and (Attic) obol-based denominations from the Persian and Hellenistic period Yehud and dated to the second half of the fourth century BCE were analyzed to determine their material composition. Of the 50 silver coins, 32 are defined as Type 5 (Athena/Owl) of the Persian period Yehud series (ca. 350–333 BCE); 9 are Type 16 (Persian king wearing a jagged crown/Falcon in flight) (ca. 350–333); 3 are Type 24 series (Portrait/Falcon) of the Macedonian period (ca. 333–306 BCE); and 6 are Type 31 (Portrait/Falcon) (ca. 306–302/1 BCE). The coins underwent visual testing, multi-focal light microscope observation, XRF analysis, and SEM-EDS analysis. The metallurgical findings revealed that all the coins from the Type 5, 16, 24, and 31 series are made of high-purity silver with a small percentage of copper. Based on these results, it is suggested that each series was manufactured using a controlled composition of silver–copper alloy. The findings present novel information about the material culture of the southern Levant during the Late Persian period and Macedonian period, as expressed through the production and use of these silver coins.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Archaeometallurgical Analysis of the Provincial Silver Coinage of Judah: More on the Chaîne Opératoire of the Minting Process

Cohen

Ashkenazi

Gitler³

et al. 2023

Materials

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“…1968). I n this method gamma-ray emission is stimulated within a sample by irradiation in a nuclear reactor (Ashworth and Abeles 1966) and the composition determined by measuring the resulting activity. However, since the measured activity of any sample depends on its shape and its position relative to the detector, corrections must be made when comparing samples of different shape.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Geometrical Factors in the Neutron Activation Analysis of Archaeological Specimens

Warren

1973

Archaeometry

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S In the neutron activation analysis of museum specimens, for which sampling is not permitted, corrections must be applied to measured activities to take into account the sample shape and its position relative to the detector. Correction factors are derived for samples of cylindrical shape such as segmented faience beads and a model technique is suggested for those of irregular shape such as flint and obsidian implements. These techniques used in gamma‐ray spectrometry with lithium‐drifted germanium detectors enable elemental concentrations to be determined from the measured count rates.

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“…Neutron activation analysis has been used for about fifteen years (Ashwork andAbels 1966, Sayre 1972) to help archaeologists investigate ceramic potsherds as to their origin, production period and other characteristics. Determination of compositional patterns may be particularly valuable to classify potsherds into homogeneous groups when it is impossible to place them stylistically or by other means.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Samian Ware Sherds by Means of Neutron Activation Analysis

et al. 1973

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S Neutron activation analysis has been employed for the characterization of Samian ware sherds. The analysed samples were classified in ten groups, seven of which belonged to the Arretine production, according to archaeological evidence. By means of high resolution gamma‐ray spectroscopy, 22 elements have been identified and analysed. Compositional characterization was looked for by taking counting rate ratios of different nuclides in the samples. The compositional pattern of the sherds was found to be fairly uniform both for each pot and for each group so that, at least in the examined cases, it can be assumed to be characteristic of a given workshop.

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Neutron Activation Analysis and Archaeology

Cited by 9 publications

References 12 publications

Archaeometallurgical Analysis of the Provincial Silver Coinage of Judah: More on the Chaîne Opératoire of the Minting Process

Archaeometallurgical Analysis of the Provincial Silver Coinage of Judah: More on the Chaîne Opératoire of the Minting Process

Geometrical Factors in the Neutron Activation Analysis of Archaeological Specimens

Characterization of Samian Ware Sherds by Means of Neutron Activation Analysis

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