Neutron activation analysis of pumice from Lipari, Italy, and the identification of a pumice find from the excavation at Tel Megadim, Israel

Summary

Sixteen pumice samples produced by the youngest eruption sequences of Mt. Pelato (Island of Lipari, Italy) were analyzed with instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for their major and trace element contents, in particular Al, Ba, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Dy, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Lu, Mn, Na, Nd, Rb, Sb, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, U, V, Yb, Zn, and Zr. A pumice from the archaeological excavation in Tel Megadim, Israel, could be correlated to this volcanic source, using its chemical fingerprint. This result, together with the background information about the well dated eruption cycles of this volcano, lead to the assumption that trade connections existed between cultures in Palestine and the Tyrrhenian region during the Persian Period (approx. between the 6th and 3rd century B.C.), in spite of the long distance of over 2000 km.