Trace Element Analysis of Obsidian Artifacts from Three Shell Midden Sites in the Littoral Zone, Chiapas, Mexico

1980 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 540-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred W. Nelson ◽  
Barbara Voorhies
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Activation Analysis ◽  
Neutron Activation ◽  
Littoral Zone ◽  
Trace Element Analysis ◽  
Late Period ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
X Ray ◽  
San Martín ◽  
Obsidian Source

Forty-two obsidian artifacts from the Chantuto Zone, Chiapas, Mexico, have been analyzed by neutron activation analysis, and fifteen artifacts were reanalyzed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. These artifacts date to the Chantuto phase (3000-2000 B.C.), late in the Archaic period, and to a later period or periods. These analyses have made it possible to compare the two methods of analysis and also have made it possible to assign an obsidian source to each artifact. It has been shown that the majority of the obsidian originated from Tajumulco, with smaller amounts coming from El Chayal during the Chantuto phase and from El Chayal, San Martin Jilotepeque, and Pachuca during the late period.

scholarly journals Procurement and circulation of obsidian in the province of La Pampa, Argentina

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Alejandra Berón ◽  
Florencia Natalin Páez ◽  
Manuel Carrera Aizpitarte
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Activation Analysis ◽  
Neutron Activation ◽  
Late Holocene ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
New Research ◽  
Two Stages ◽  
Obsidian Source

The goal of this study is to report the progress regarding the procurement and circulation of obsidian by hunter-gatherer populations during the Late Holocene in the province of La Pampa, Argentina. A total of 25 samples were analyzed in two stages; in the first stage neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used, while X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was employed in the second stage. This work adds nine archaeological samples from new sites and one from the Lihué Calel obsidian source. The results allow us to  take into account the sourcing of the obsidian which was found in archeological sites of four areas of study located in the south and east of the province. Both, the results generated in this new stage, and those previously obtained are integrated and discussed in relation to the information produced by other researchers from the region, which are consistent with the existing ones for La Pampa. They indicate that the obsidian recovered was procured from sources located in the Argentinian and Chilean Andes, as well as the pre-cordillera in the provinces of Neuquén and Mendoza. New data expands the spatial perspective of our interpretations to four new research areas: Curacó basin, Lihué Calel hills, Valles Transversales (Transversal Valleys) and Bajos sin Salida (Endorheic low areas).

The Neutron Activation Analysis Program of the Food and Drug Administration

1970 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 1140-1144
Author(s):  
James T Tanner ◽  
J P F Lambert ◽  
R E Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Activation Analysis ◽  
Neutron Activation ◽  
Drug Administration ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Food And Drug Administration ◽  
Trace Element Analysis ◽  
Naval Research ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Specific Element

Abstract Activation analysis is a rapid and sensitive method of trace element analysis applicable to a large variety of samples. For the most part the method is nondestructive; however, for highest sensitivity, chemical separations are usually required. For about 4 years the Food and Drug Administration, utilizing the Naval Research Laboratory reactor, has applied neutron activation to various samples of foods, drugs, and biological materials. Elements such as vanadium, selenium, and mercury have been determined at the nanogram level with little interference from the matrix. Possibly more important than interest in specific element determinations themselves is utilization of the elements or element profiles as indices of required information. Thus, in several forensic applications the authenticity of drugs and food items has been evaluated through the characteristic gamma-ray spectral ”signatures.” Through neutron activation the distribution of mycotoxin contamination in batches of foodstuffs has been simulated to establish homogeneity of sample preparations. This paper presents some earlier examples of the applications of neutron activation analysis which have been made in FDA and summarizes recent work.

Neutron activation analysis of archaeological artefacts

1970 ◽  
Vol 269 (1193) ◽  
pp. 165-174 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Activation Analysis ◽  
Neutron Activation ◽  
Trace Element Analysis ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Trade Routes ◽  
Art Objects ◽  
Prehistoric Trade ◽  
Non Destructive

The elemental compositions of archaeological artefacts, ancient and medieval coins, and metallic art objects have been determined by non-destructive neutron activation analysis. Examples are given of studies of prehistoric trade routes and cultural contacts based on the identification of the geologic origins of obsidian artefacts, of early economic systems based on the determination of debasement patterns in medieval Islamic and Western gold and silver coinage, the region of manufacture as well as authentication of ancient metallic art objects based on trace element analysis. Special procedures devised for performing these analyses are described.

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