Application of Charged Particle Activation Analysis (CPAA) in archaeology

Chaturvedula S. Sastri, Thierry Sauvage, Olivier Wendling, Aurélien Bellamy, William Hate, Paul Sigot, Frédéric Foucher, Christian Humburg

Abstract

Charged Particle Activation is a nuclear technique used in material science for analysis, and as an essential technique in the production of radioisotopes in nuclear medicine. It is less known in archaeology. After a systematic study, we have found that proton and deuteron activations offer some unique analytical possibilities, unknown to other methods, in archaeology. With its extremely high sensitivity for some elements like Ca, Ti, Fe, Sr and Sb, proton activation can be very useful in developing new markers for provenance studies (eg: Fe and Ti, in knowing the origin of sand used by Romans for making glass), and verification of homogenisation of added ingredients like Ca and Sb in glass. Similarly, deuteron activation, through carbon analysis, can help in understanding various problems like the supply of quality fuel, proper maintenance, furnace accidents etc. faced by the ancient glass industry.

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IMEKO-Metroarchaeo-2025-141.pdf

DOI

10.21014/tc26-2025.141

IMEKO TC

TC26 - Metrology for Cultural Heritage

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