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The k 0 and relative INAA methods to determine elements in entire archaeological pottery objects

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Abstract

The advantages of instrumental neutron activation analysis applied to archaeological ceramics have been enhanced through the analysis of entire objects, using both the k 0 method and the relative method, respectively, to determine the concentrations of chemical elements in aliquots of replicate objects used as comparators and in the sample object. Twenty-two chemical elements of archaeological importance were measured in mud figurines from Caral civilization (5000 year BC), irradiated inside a well-characterized radial channel facility of the nuclear research reactor at IPEN, Peru. The results showed less than 10 % of bias for most of the elements.

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Acknowledgments

The authors want to express gratitude to the archaeologist of the Caral Archaeological Zone and to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

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Correspondence to P. S. Bedregal.

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Bedregal, P.S., Mendoza, P.A., Ubillús, M.S. et al. The k 0 and relative INAA methods to determine elements in entire archaeological pottery objects. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 300, 673–678 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-014-3080-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-014-3080-7

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