PIXE studies on artifacts from Saugus Iron Works

Narayan, Chandrika; O’Connor, Michael; Kegel, G. H. R.; Johnson, Reed F.; Salmons, Carl; White, Curtis

doi:10.1016/0168-583x(95)01086-6

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Proton induced X-ray emission spectrometry (PIXE) can provide a spatial resolution ranging from > 1 mm to a few µm [3]. Several studies have been published illustrating its application as a proton milli-and microprobe in archaeometallurgical research [4][5][6][7]. However, it is quite an expensive method, since a proton accelerator is needed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for spatially resolved trace analysis of early-medieval archaeological iron finds

Devos

Senn-Luder

Moor

et al. 2000

Fresenius' Journal of Analytical Chemistry

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The suitability of laser ablation ICP-MS for minor and trace analysis of archaeological iron finds, produced by a direct reduction process in a 'bloomery' furnace, is reported. The analysis of elemental impurities in the iron can provide useful archaeometallurgical information on the production process and the provenance of the iron. Since, even after refinement, the iron resulting from this process may contain many inclusions (slag, charcoal, holes, etc.), a method should be used with sufficient spatial resolution to preclude the inclusions from the analysis. The ablation parameters are selected such that ablation craters of approx. 100 microm in diameter are obtained. The method is validated with low alloy steel and cast iron standard reference materials and by a comparative analysis with electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The precision is limited mainly by the homogeneity of the iron, rather than by instrumental reproducibility. The advantages and drawbacks of the method are briefly compared with EPMA. Preliminary results from the analysis of archaeological iron samples from excavations at Develier-Courtetelle (Canton Jura, CH), Neftenbach (Canton Zurich, CH), Wartau (Canton St Gallen, CH) and Mont Chemin (Canton Valais, CH) are given.

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