Application of instrumental neutron activation analysis for provenance study of archaeological potteries and bricks

Chemical composition analysis is an important tool for provenance study of archaeological artifacts. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) using reactor neutrons and high resolution g-ray spectrometry was used for composition analysis of ancient pottery and brick samples collected from 10 different locations of Buddhist sites of Andhra Pradesh, India. Concentrations of 16 elements including REEs were determined. Some of the key elements namely Sc, Cr, Co, La, Ce and Nd as well as elemental concentration ratios of La to Ce were used for possible correlation among brick and pottery samples under investigation. Accuracy of the method was evaluated by analyzing IAEA RM SL-3(Lake Sediment). (author)