Non-destructive analysis of ancient Egyptian vitreous materials by neutron activation analysis

Chemical compositions of ancient Egyptian glass are one of the key information for identifying the location of the original material for production. The ordinary chemical analysis is however restricted because variable remains can not be destroyed. Thus sensitive analytical method in non-destructive manner is required. The neutron activation analysis was used in this research and the content of Ca, Cl, Al and Mn were found in ancient Egyptian glass and peak area of them were compared with those in the sand samples taken from several areas around Egypt because sand was thought as the raw material of such glasses. As a result, we found three different patterns in chemical compositions in the surrounding sand samples and we expect this pattern might be a good indicator of location of raw sand material. (author)