Ref ID:	31834
Ref Type:	Journal Article
Authors:	Kennett, Douglas J. Sakai, Sachiko Neff, Hector Gossett, Richard Larson, Daniel O.
Title:	Compositional characterization of prehstoric ceramics: a new approach
Date:	2002
Source:	Journal of Archaeological Science
Abstract:	In this paper we present a promising new geochemical provenance technique that couples chemistry-based microwave digestion of archaeological ceramics with Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (MD-ICP-MS). MDICP- MS data for a standard reference material (SRM-679, brick clay) compare favourably with certified values, and data for prehistoric ceramics from the Virgin Branch Anasazi region of southern Nevada reproduce groups identified in an INAA study. We argue that MD-ICP-MS provides a cost-effective and readily available approach for determining the provenance of archaeological ceramics. As the use of nuclear reactors for archaeological research purposes becomes more tenuous, MD-ICP-MS may also provide a viable alternative for bulk analysis of prehistoric ceramics in the long-term.
Date Created:	10/19/2003
Volume:	29
Number:	5
Page Start:	443
Page End:	455