Isotope Analysis.pdf

acquires data on elements in artifacts to explore provenance, typically destructive.
Binocular microscopy, optical microscopy: examines artifacts under magnification (5x-20x) to identify materials and patterns.
Biogeochemical prospecting: studies chemical cycles, important for radiocarbon dating and isotope analysis.
Dendrochronology: studies tree growth rings to establish when trees were felled and used, and past climate conditions.
Electrical resistivity: sends an electric pulse into the ground to locate underground archaeological features.
Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF): see X-ray fluorescence.
Geochemistry: examines chemical elements in soil, water, and air to study earth processes, employed in archaeology to study materials.
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS): acquires data on elements in artifacts, destructive, used to explore provenance.
Lead isotope analysis: determines lead isotopes in objects to determine provenance.
Magnetometry: detects buried features by differences in magnetic fields.
Neutron activation analysis (NAA): uses a nuclear reactor to determine elements in artifacts, destructive.
Paleomagnetic dating: uses magnetic polarity of fired materials to establish dates.
Petrography/Thin section analysis: examines rocks and ceramics to identify minerals and rock types, relates to provenance.
Potassium-Argon dating (K–Ar): dates volcanic strata by measuring radioactive decay of potassium isotopes.
14C Radiocarbon dating: establishes age of organic materials based on amount of 14C carbon isotope.