The Smithsonian–nist Partnership: The Application of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis to Archaeology

Blackman, M. James; Bishop, Ronald L.

doi:10.1111/j.1475-4754.2007.00304.x

Cited by 28 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Chemical analysis of the vessel pastes was carried out by Bishop using the Smithsonian Institution's INAA facility at the National Institute for Standards and Technology following routine protocols (see Blackman and Bishop, 2007) Several paste groups can be defined using the chemical characteristics of ceramic pastes within an initial 1400 sample set assembled for the greater Motul de San José and Tikal regions. Analysis was guided by the interest in seeing if there was evidence for similarity of grouping behavior for the ceramic pastes that might covary with the patterns observed for their paint samples.…”

Section: Polychromementioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical analysis of Late Classic Maya polychrome pottery paints and pastes from Central Petén, Guatemala

Halperin

Bishop

2016

Journal of Archaeological Science

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research has been undertaken between Late Classic centers of similar size in the Petén Lakes region, such as between Motul de San José and Tayasal. One exception is a ceramic figurine study by Halperin (2014), which indicates that western Petén Lakes region sites (Motul de San José, Nixtun Ch'ich', Tayasal, Flores, Trinidad, Buenavista, and Chäkokot) had political-economic ties with each other. The current study provides evidence for the movement of polychrome pottery and, in some cases the raw materials used to produce such pottery, among the Petén Lakes region centers of Motul de San José, Tayasal, Flores, and Zacpetén, as well as among Petén Lakes centers and the primary capital of Tikal. We suggest that centers along the western shores of Lake Petén Itzá allied or affiliated themselves with one another, serving to strengthen provincial relations. Iron oxides, such as hematite, magnetite, goethite, and lepodicrocite, are minerals commonly found in red slips and red slip-paints decorating Classic period Maya pottery (Beaudry, 1989; Goodall et al., 2009; Smith, 2013). These slips and slip paints were applied to the vessel before it was fired at approximately 550-1000°C. Because these minerals are thermally unstable (e.g. magnetite and goethite convert to hematite when heated ca. 300-400°C, lepodicrocite converts to maghemite between 275-300°C and maghemite to hematite ca. 700°C) (Cornell and Schwertmann, 2003, pp. 365-377; Goodall et al., 2009; Walter et al., 2001), mineral analysis of red slips or slip paints can be problematic for identifying paint recipes. On the other hand, chemical analysis of vessel paints in conjunction with vessel pastes can provide a high-resolution, multi-component perspective of materials composition useful for identifying pottery production recipes and sources.

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Section: Polychromementioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical analysis of Late Classic Maya polychrome pottery paints and pastes from Central Petén, Guatemala

Halperin

Bishop

2016

Journal of Archaeological Science

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“…Studies involving the trade and exchange of Mesoamerican pottery have been major benefactors of data obtained by chemical analysis of ceramic materials. Among the techniques applied to determine the movement of pottery is atomic absorption (Torres et al 1984), X-ray fluorescence (Pool 1990), and neutron activation, using both delayed and prompt gammas (see reviews by Blackman and Bishop 2007; Glascock et al 2007; Harbottle and Holmes 2007). Other techniques such as scanning electron microcopy, X-ray diffraction (Domínguez et al 2002; Tenorio et al 2005), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Iñañez et al 2010) have provided useful information about the clays or other mineralogical components of a ceramic matrix, as well as technological data for slips, pigments, glazes, (see, for example, Backes et al 2012; Cecil 2001, 2004; Neff 2003; Speakman et al 2002).…”

Section: Sources Of Ideosyncracy: the Analyst And The Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Instrumental Approaches to Understanding Mesoamerican Economy: Elusive Promises

Bishop

2014

Ancient Mesoam

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More than four decades ago, instrumental developments, such as those involving neutron activation and X-ray florescence, began to generate relatively large quantities of data from the analysis of archaeological materials. These data served as the basis for many models of long-distance exchange as a means of explaining the development of cultural complexity. I review aspects of this early history and the how use of compositional data is now more directed toward localized investigations of economic activity. Even with this refocus of research interest, studies involving material characterization appear to be declining. Using traditional citation, personal experience, and highly selective examples, I discuss the use of analytical techniques for studies of long-distance trade, as it developed and now confronts interpretive difficulties that are inherent in the data and rendered more so by use of abstract constructs and resource limitations.

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“…Here, we present a small study aimed at evaluating the potential for contamination during the process of sample‐powder extraction. Several methods have been advocated by different archaeometry programmes during the past 30 years (Asaro and Adan‐Bayewitz 2007; Blackman and Bishop 2007; Harbottle and Holmes 2007; Hughes 2007), and most laboratories develop a standardized protocol so as to minimize confounding effects of contamination. The Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) routinely employs a method by which a small fragment is broken from the ceramic artefact, all surfaces are burred from the broken piece using a silicon‐carbide (SC) abrasive grinding stone, and the remaining fragment is ground in an agate mortar and pestle.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Evaluation of Sample‐extraction Methods and the Potential for Contamination in Ceramic Specimens*

2012

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Contamination of ceramic specimens resulting from sample‐preparation techniques has the ability to confound efforts of chemical characterization. Primary contamination, identified by significant concentrations of one or more elements, is easily identified. Secondary contamination, resulting from undetected elements influencing detected elements, is more difficult to identify. Evaluation of six powder‐extraction techniques identifies variable effects of contamination. Extraction by drilling carries the highest risk of contamination. The grinding of specimens with silicon‐carbide wheels may artificially deplete abundances by introducing Si and C. Grinding specimens in an agate mortar and pestle is found to be the technique least likely to result in contamination effects.

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The Smithsonian–nist Partnership: The Application of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis to Archaeology

Cited by 28 publications

References 20 publications

Chemical analysis of Late Classic Maya polychrome pottery paints and pastes from Central Petén, Guatemala

Chemical analysis of Late Classic Maya polychrome pottery paints and pastes from Central Petén, Guatemala

Instrumental Approaches to Understanding Mesoamerican Economy: Elusive Promises

Experimental Evaluation of Sample‐extraction Methods and the Potential for Contamination in Ceramic Specimens*

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