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Chemical characterization of large size archaeological clay bricks for grouping study by internal mono-standard neutron activation analysis

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Abstract

The k0-based internal mono-standard neutron activation analysis (IM-NAA) method was used to analyze large size archaeological clay brick samples for grouping study. Elemental concentration ratios with respect to Sc were derived using IM-NAA in conjunction with in situ relative detection efficiency. Preliminary grouping was carried out using bi-plot of Ce/Sc and La/Sc ratios and the grouping was confirmed by statistical cluster analysis. Concentration results of a large size sample were compared with analysis of small size replicates by both relative NAA and IM-NAA methods. The method adopted here is a standard-less one for grouping combined with provenance study of archaeological artifacts.

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Acknowledgements

Authors from GITAM University thank Dr. P.K. Pujari, Head, Radiochemistry Division, BARC for the support and encouragement. Authors thankfully acknowledge University Grants Commission-Department of Atomic Energy Council of Scientific Research (UGC-DAE CSR), Mumbai Centre for the project and financial assistance and Dr. P. Gayatri, Ex. Director, Department of Archaeology and Museum, united Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad for providing authentic samples. Authors thank nuclear reactor crew members of the AHWR CF and Dhruva reactor, BARC, Mumbai for their help during sample irradiation.

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  1. K. B. Dasari

    Present address: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea

Authors and Affiliations

  1. GITAM Institute of Science, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, 530 045, India

    K. B. Dasari & N. Lakshmana Das

  2. Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India

    R. Acharya

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  1. K. B. Dasari
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  2. R. Acharya
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  3. N. Lakshmana Das
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Correspondence to K. B. Dasari or R. Acharya.

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Dasari, K.B., Acharya, R. & Das, N.L. Chemical characterization of large size archaeological clay bricks for grouping study by internal mono-standard neutron activation analysis. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 316, 1205–1211 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-018-5863-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-018-5863-8

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