Analytical Chemistry in Archaeology

This book introduces the basic concepts of chemistry behind scientific analytical techniques and reviews their application to archaeology.

A. M. Pollard (Author), C. M Batt (Author), B. Stern (Author), S. M. M. Young (Author)

9780521655729, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 18 January 2007

420 pages, 13 tables
24.5 x 17.6 x 2.6 cm, 0.81 kg

' … aimed at the non-specialist … provides enough information to allow readers to find their own depth within the subject … a valuable resource …' Journal of Medieval Archaeology

This book is an introductory manual that explains the basic concepts of chemistry behind scientific analytical techniques and that reviews their application to archaeology. It explains key terminology, outlines the procedures to be followed in order to produce good data, and describes the function of the basic instrumentation required to carry out those procedures. The manual contains chapters on the basic chemistry and physics necessary to understand the techniques used in analytical chemistry, with more detailed chapters on Atomic Absorption, Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy, Neutron Activation Analysis, X-ray Flourescence, Electron Microscopy, Infra-red and Raman Spectroscopy, and Mass Spectrometry. Each chapter describes the operation of the instruments, some hints on the practicalities, and a review of the application of the technique to archaeology, including some case studies. With guides to further reading on the topic, it is an essential tool for practitioners, researchers and advanced students alike.

Part I. The Role of Analytical Chemistry in Archaeology: 1. Archaeology and analytical chemistry
2. An introduction to analytical chemistry
Part II. The Application of Analytical Chemistry to Archaeology: 3. Elemental analysis by absorption and emission spectroscopies
4. Molecular analysis by absorption and Raman spectroscopy
5. X-ray techniques and electron beam microanalysis
6. Neutron activation analysis
7. Chromatography
8. Mass spectrometry
9. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Part III. Some Basic Chemistry for Archaeologists: 10. Atoms, isotopes, electron orbitals and the periodic table
11. Valency, bonding and molecules
12. The electromagnetic spectrum
13. Practical issues in analytical chemistry.

Subject Areas: Archaeological science, methodology & techniques [HDW]