Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Establishing a basis for nuclear archaeometry in Australia using the 20 MW OPAL research reactor

  • Published:
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The k 0-method of standardisation for instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) has been used at the OPAL research reactor to determine the elemental composition of three certified reference materials: coal fly ash (SRM 1633b), brick clay (SRM 679) and Montana soil (SRM 2711). Of the 41 certified elements in the three materials, 88 percent were within five percent of the certified values and all determinations were within 15 percent of the certified values. The average difference between the measured and certified values was 0.1 percent, with a standard deviation of 4.1 percent. Since these reference materials are widely used as standards in the analysis of archaeological ceramics by INAA, it has been concluded that the INAA facility in Australia is particularly well-suited for nuclear archaeometry.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. http://www.kayzero.com/. Accessed February 2011

  2. http://hlabsoft.com/. Accessed February 2011

References

  1. Hancock RGV, Carter T (2010) J Archaeol Sci 37:243–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Glascock MD, Neff H (2003) Meas Sci Technol 14:1516–1526

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Bishop RL, Blackman MJ (2002) Acc Chem Res 35:603–610

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Tsolakidou A, Kilikoglou V (2003) Comparative analysis of ancient ceramics by instrumental neutron activation analysis, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence analysis. In: 4th symposium on archaeometry. Hellenic Society for Archaeometry, Athens

  5. Mommsen H, Beier T, Hein A (2002) J Archeol Sci 29:613–637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Knapp AB, Cherry J (1994) Provenience studies and bronze age cyprus: production exchange & politico-economic change. Prehistory Press, Madison

    Google Scholar 

  7. Hein A, Tsolakidou A, Iliopoulos I, Mommsen H, Buxeda i Garrigós J, Montana G, Kilikoglou V (2002) Analyst 127:542–553

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Bennett JW (2008) J Radioanal Nucl Chem 278:671–673

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. De Corte F, Simonits A, De Wisperlaere A, Hoste J (1987) J Radioanal Nucl Chem 113:145–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. ISO (2005) ISO13528:2005(E), Statistical methods for use in proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparisons. Geneva, Switzerland

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank AINSE Ltd. for providing financial assistance through Research Award AINGRA 08098 to enable the analyses to be performed.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia

    John W. Bennett & Attila Stopic

  2. Archaeomaterials Science Hub, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia

    Peter Grave

Authors
  1. John W. Bennett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Peter Grave
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Attila Stopic
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Attila Stopic.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bennett, J.W., Grave, P. & Stopic, A. Establishing a basis for nuclear archaeometry in Australia using the 20 MW OPAL research reactor. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 291, 13–17 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-011-1267-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-011-1267-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation