A standardless approach of INAA for grouping study of ancient potteries

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry 2012-12, Vol.294 (3), p.429-434
• Main Authors: Dasari, K. B., Acharya, R., Das, N. Lakshmana, Reddy, A. V. R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Archaeology; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Detectors; Diagnostic Radiology; Hadrons; Heavy Ions; Inorganic Chemistry; Nuclear Chemistry; Nuclear Physics; Physical Chemistry
• ISSN: 0236-5731; 1588-2780
• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-011-1464-5

The k 0 based internal monostandard neutron activation analysis was used to analyze 41 ancient pottery samples from three major locations of Andhra Pradesh state, India, belonging to two different age groups namely Megalithic and Buddhist periods. Samples were irradiated with neutron flux obtained from CIRUS reactor and radioactive assay was carried out using a 40% relative efficiency HPGe detector coupled to 8 k MCA. Concentration ratios of 21 elements were calculated with respect to internal monostandard Sc. Absolute concentrations for six (three each from both Megalithic and Buddhist periods) representative samples along with a modern pottery were obtained for comparison. Elemental concentration ratios with respect to Sc were used for grouping of these archaeological samples. Preliminary grouping of these artifacts was done using La/Ce values, and the grouping was confirmed by statistical cluster analysis using eleven selected trace elements. The IAEA RM SL-3 sample was analysed for validation of the method, where in both concentration ratios and absolute concentrations were calculated.