Anth005-Ch.10

Particle-Induced X-ray Emission Spectrometry (PIXE)

a compositional method that bombards a material with an ion beam from a particle accelerator, causing electromagnetic radiation, which is particular to different elements, researchers can assess the chemical composition of the material.

Neutron activation analysis

a compositional method that bombards a sample with neutrons to form radioactive isotopes, the gamma emissions from which are unique to each element and can be measured.

X-ray fluorescence

a compositional method that calculates the fluorescent x-ray emitted by a substance when it is bombarded with gamma rays

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

a compositional method that employs a laser to ablate a sample (reduce it to fine particles) prior to beginning the ionization process in the ICP-MS instrument

Petrography

a compositional method that includes the description and classification of rocks using thin sections analyzed under a microscope; good for rocks and ceramics

x-ray diffraction

a compositional method that measures how the electrons of certain materials spherically scatter waves of electromagnetic radiation when they are bombarded by x-rays

Mass spectrometry

a compositional method that measures the abundance of both commonly occurring and trace (rarely occurring) elements in a material by ionizing (a process changing the electrical balance of an electrically neutral atom or molecule to an electrically charged counterpart, an ion) material and then separating the ions according to mass-to-charge ratios.

Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS)

a compositional method that measures the wavelength of radiation emitted by a material through an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectrometer (MS), but that divides the samples by their isotopes and is able to detect trace elements with more accuracy.

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES)

a compositional method that measures the wavelength of radiation emitted by a material through an inductively couples plasma (ICP) mass spectrometer (MS)

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

a compositional method that uses a beam of electrons that creates a map of the surface of a sample using secondary electrons; using backscattered electrons that are bounced off the surface. researchers can also get an idea of the chemical composition of a material

annealing

a form of heat treatment of metals to increase their workability (eg. hot-working or forging)

Indirect Percussion

a lithic production technique that involves placing an intermediate tool, or punch, on the core

direct percussion

a lithic production technique that involves striking a core with a hard object, often a hammerstone or antler

Pressure flaking

a lithic production technique whereby a pointed flaking tool in applied to a specific spot on a core; gradually increasing the pressure on the tool and then pop off a flake or blade

Bipolar Technique

a lithic production technique whereby an anvil, such as a large stone is used

flake

a relatively thin piece of chipped stone whose length is less than two times the size of its width

Blade

a relatively thin piece of chipped stone whose length is more than two times the size of its width

slip

a thin layer of clay and water applied to the surface of pottery

Heuristic Device

an imperfect practical method to help with immediate goals

Lithic

an object made of stone

Slag (Scoria)

by-production of metal production composed of silica and oxides formed during the smelting process

smelting

extracting metal from ores (rocks and materials that are mined) by heating the material to a temperature where the metal melts and can be separated from the rest of the materials in the ore

Ground Stone

lithics manufactured through abrasion

Temper

materials added to the clay before firing to make ceramics

Nodule

natural rock used to make stone tools

Chaîne Opératoire

operational chains of production; studying the sequence of how things were made

refitting

piecing back together broken and fractured objects and artifacts

burnishing

smoothing pottery, often with a stone

retouching

taking off small flakes on the edge of a lithic tool to sharpen it.

planting

technique used to deposit a metal onto a conductive surface

Reductive Techniques

techniques that produce artifacts by subtracting from the original raw materials

Synthetic Techniques

techniques that produce artifacts through addition of materials

Fabric

the ceramic mix (paste) after it is hardened through the firing process

Paste

the ceramic mix prior to firing

Ethnoarchaeology

the ethnography of modern material culture by archaeologists to help them understand the material culture they collect through their archaeological research

artifact biography

the idea that artifacts can change functions and meanings over time

Alloying

the mixing of metals or a metal and another element whereby bonding occurs

knapping

the process of knocking pieces off a rock by striking it with another object

casting

the process of placing liquid metal into a mold, where it cools and takes the desired shape

Shatter

the small chunks and fragments that are generated from separating flakes and blades from the core.

archaeometallurgy

the study of the manufacture and use of metals in the past

metallography

the study of the physical structure and composition of metals

use-wear analysis

the study of wear on artifacts

experimental archaeology

the use of modern materials to create and use material culture that replicated their counterparts in the archaeological record

Debitage

the waste generated by lithic production