Artifact and Archeological Testing

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Neutron Activation Analysis

About N.A.A.
Analysis Packages
NAA by Periodic Element
NAA Alphabetical Listing

Radiological Analysis

About RAD
Radiological Analyses
RAD by Radionuclide

Program Design

Lab Facilities

Test Protocols

Industries Served

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PACKAGE: Artifact and Archeological

Neutron Activation Analysis uses a direct measurement on archeological samples to provide a “trace element fingerprint”. This avoids the problems such as incomplete dissolution or the loss of volatile elements that are common to chemical testing techniques.

Element	Unit	Typical Analysis - Pottery*
Antimony (Sb)	ppm	5.7
Arsenic (As)	ppm	31
Barium (Ba)	ppm	500
Bromine (Br)	ppm	4.8
Calcium (Ca)	%	7
Cerium (Ce)	ppm	69
Cesium (Cs)	ppm	14
Chromium (Cr)	ppm	272
Cobalt (Co)	ppm	26
Europium (Eu)	ppm	1.3
Gold (Au)	ppb	< 5
Hafnium (Hf)	ppm	4.2
Iridium (Ir)	ppb	< 10
Iron (Fe)	%	4.8
Lanthanum (La)	ppm	35
Lutetium (Lu)	ppm	0.4
Mercury (Hg)	ppm	< 1
Molybdenum (Mo)	ppm	< 5
Neodymium (Nd)	ppm	33
Nickel (Ni)	ppm	< 100
Potassium (K)	%	2.1
Rubidium (Rb)	ppm	100
Samarium (Sm)	ppm	6
Scandium (Sc)	ppm	18
Selenium (Se)	ppm	< 5
Silver (Ag)	ppm	< 5
Sodium (Na)	%	0.65
Strontium (Sr)	ppm	< 300
Tantalum (Ta)	ppm	0.9
Terbium (Tb)	ppm	0.7
Thorium (Th)	ppm	11
Tungsten (W)	ppm	2
Uranium (U)	ppm	2.2
Ytterbium (Yb)	ppm	2.5
Zinc (Zn)	ppm	110

* For illustrative purposes only. Actual analysis results vary.

Packages for Halogens and Short-Lived Elements are also available.