The Establishment of a Data Base of Neutron Activation Analyses of White Marble*

Abstract

The establishment of a dutu huse of trace element unal.ysi.s results obtained by neutron uctivation analysis of 183 marble samples. each weighing about 200mg, from eight different quarrying localities for use in provenance studies is described rind ci summuty of the results presented. The probletns o j sampling museum cirtefucts are discussed, and details of tests of the reproducibility of the technique are given together with those obtained ,from multiple-.samples froni single museum objects. Replicate nnal.vses of a marble standurd w e also discussed. Thus these data are a measure of the accuracy and precision of the technique, as well as allowing an assessment of the variation in trace element composition within quarry sources and single blocks qf marble, as used for artefacts.

An updated petrographic and isotopic reference database for white marbles used in antiquity

“…Though the same unresolved problems again arise for these trace elements (repeatability of results, their comparability when obtained with different analytical methods, content variability at small and large scale, etc. ), it is certain, however, that the creation of a databank for REE would be immensely useful (Matthews 1997;Green et al 2002). Another important proposal involving the application of a combination of analytical, petrographic (including the introduction of MGS-maximum grain size of calcite/dolomite crystals) and geochemical methodologies was made by a large team of Belgian scientists (Moens et al 1988).…”

ESR Spectroscopy as a Tool for Identifying Joining Fragments of Antique Marbles: The Example of a Pulpit by Donatello and Michelozzo

“…The first, which has been the object of active work during the past decades (4 -6), is the determination of the quarries of provenance. Several physicochemical techniques, from neutron activation analysis of trace elements (7) to the determination of the carbon and oxygen isotope ratios (8), may give partial answers to this problem. However, it is now generally recognized (9,10) that reliable results need the combined use of several methods as well as of petrographic and art-historical information.…”

Caractérisation géochimique de matières premières lithiques :

“…La plupart des analyses chimiques effectuées sur les matériaux lithiques ont été réalisées sur l'obsidienne, le chert et la steatite Allen et al 1984;Allen et Pennell 1978;Allen, Luckenbach et Holland 1975;Asaro et al 1978;Bowan, Asaro et Perlman 1973;Burke et Chalifoux 1998;Chapdelaine et Kennedy 1994Church 1995;De Bruin et al 1972;Glascock et al 1994;Gordus, Wright et Griffin 1968;Harnois 1995;Hoard et al 1992, Hoard et al 1993, Hoard et al 1995Hughes 1988Hughes et 1994Jarvis 1990;Julig 1994;Julig et al 1992;Julig, Long et Hancock 1998;Julig, Pavlish et Hancock 1987, 1991aet 1991bLong et al 1999;Luedtke 1978Luedtke et 1979 Université du Québec à Chicoutimi David LeBlanc -2004-Malyk-Selivanova 1994Malyk-Selivanova et al 1998;Mattews 1997;McGinley et Schweikert 1979;Nelson, D'Auria et Bennett 1975;Rogers et al 1983;Shackley 1995Shackley et 1998Sheets et al 1990;Skinner et Winkler 1994;Slater et Grunberg 1991 ;Sno...…”