Development of Ion Beam Analysis Techniques for Archeological Research

Abstract

Particle-induced x-ray emission (PIXE) has been investigated as a technique for studying prehistoric stone tools collected from sites in southern Maryland by archeologists at the Maryland Historical Trust. Experimental apparatus, including a sample positioner, x-ray detector, x-ray filters, and electronics have been designed, assembled, or optimized for the project. Data analysis software has been obtained, installed, and modified as needed. The elemental compositions of 51 rhyolite tools have been measured using in-air PIXE, and the data have been subjected to a statistical analysis to reveal similarities between the compositions of different tools. The results of this analysis have been interpreted in terms of several models of prehistoric trade.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 13, 1991
Accession Number
ADA245647

Entities

People

  • William D. Kulp Iii

Organizations

  • United States Naval Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Charged Particles
  • Data Analysis
  • Detectors
  • Geographic Regions
  • Information Science
  • Ion Beams
  • Ions
  • Maryland
  • Radiation
  • Scattering
  • Spectroscopy
  • Statistical Analysis
  • United States
  • United States Naval Academy
  • X Ray Filters
  • X Rays
  • X-Ray Detectors

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Archaeological Resource Survey
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Software Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics