Activation analysis in archaeology

A scheme is given to represent the variety of archaeometric investigations and the methods used. Activation analysis is among the methods giving information about the chemical composition of the findings, but it can be used for age determination too (K-Ar method; chemical dating of bone). The chemical composition of an archaeological finding (pottery, glass, metal, etc.) usually reflects the raw material it was made of; it also helps the understanding of ancient technology, and provides valuable information needed for conservation and restoration of the finding. Criteria for the applicability of analytical methods in archaeometry shows why nuclear methods, especially instrumental neutron activation analysis, are among the most widely used methods. This chapter is a critical review of different activation methods (neutron, photon, charged particle) for clay and pottery, glass, natural glass, rocks, and ancient metals; advantages and shortcomings of each are outlined, and typical examples of archaeometric problems solved by activation analysis are described. 346 refs, 11 tabs, 6 figs