Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry: A New Tool for Provenance-Based Research in Archaeology

便携式 X 射线荧光光谱仪：考古学来源研究的新工具

• 批准号: 0405042
• 负责人: Michael Glascock
• 金额: $ 2.16万
• 依托单位: University of Missouri-Columbia
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-06-01 至 2005-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0405042&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Portable; Ray; Fluorescence; Spectrometry; New

With National Science Foundation support, Dr. Michael D. Glascock and his team at the University of Missouri-Columbia will purchase the components necessary to assemble a portable X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer. This state-of-the-art instrument will use a miniature X-ray tube and a high-precision, thermoelectrically-cooled detector. Routine non-destructive analysis of archaeological materials for provenance determination will be possible on samples larger than 1 cm in diameter. When used with a specially-designed collimator, the potential of analyzing smaller samples will also be investigated. The portable XRF will permit rapid, low-cost, multi-elemental characterizations of archaeological materials outside the traditional laboratory setting. Given the instrument's relatively small size and the fact that radiation is produced only when the instrument is operating, this equipment can be transported without government permits. Many of the research questions in archaeology are concerned with the movement of materials through trade and exchange. Elemental characterization data offer a means of determining the origins of archaeological materials providing information to investigate different models of exchange. Greater access to reliable low-cost methods of chemical analysis is desirable and with the success of this research will be possible in the future. As a first step in implementing this instrument for widespread use in archaeology, we will develop analytical protocols for characterizing obsidian, pottery, pigments, synthetic glasses, and sediments. After calibration and development of analytical protocols and standards, we anticipate using the portable XRF to analyze artifacts in museums, in classrooms, and at archaeological sites. The broader impact of the portable XRF will be to make chemistry-based provenance determinations a more routine part of archaeological research. By bringing the analytical equipment to the archaeologist, to the museum curator, or even to the general public, the portable XRF will provide greater opportunities for teaching archaeological science.

在国家科学基金会的支持下，密苏里-哥伦比亚大学的Michael D. Glascock博士和他的团队将购买组装便携式x射线荧光光谱仪（XRF）所需的组件。这种最先进的仪器将使用微型x射线管和高精度热电冷却探测器。对于直径大于1厘米的样品，可以对考古材料进行常规的非破坏性分析，以确定其来源。当使用一个特殊设计的准直器，分析小样本的潜力也将被调查。便携式XRF将允许在传统实验室环境之外对考古材料进行快速、低成本、多元素的表征。考虑到仪器的体积相对较小，而且只有在仪器运行时才会产生辐射，这种设备可以在没有政府许可的情况下运输。考古学中的许多研究问题都与通过贸易和交换进行的材料流动有关。元素表征数据为确定考古材料的来源提供了一种手段，为研究不同的交换模式提供了信息。更容易获得可靠的低成本化学分析方法是可取的，随着这项研究的成功，未来将有可能实现。作为在考古学中广泛使用该仪器的第一步，我们将开发用于表征黑曜石、陶器、颜料、合成玻璃和沉积物的分析方案。在校准和开发分析协议和标准之后，我们期望使用便携式XRF分析博物馆，教室和考古遗址中的文物。便携式XRF的更广泛影响将是使基于化学的来源确定成为考古研究中更常规的一部分。通过将分析设备带给考古学家，博物馆馆长，甚至是普通大众，便携式XRF将为教授考古学提供更多的机会。