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Exploring the Evolving Universe |
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NSF Funded Program for Solid Sample Research in the Archaeological Sciences, IIRMES, CSULB |
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Techniques for elemental characterization of solid inorganic samples, either in bulk or via microprobes targeted at specific components of a composite material, have long been workhorses in archaeological investigations of provenance and technology. Dietary studies and human-population movement studies may also be feasible with solid-sample analysis of mineralized human tissues (bone and tooth enamel). Solid-sample characterization may also yield improvements in age determination via thermal luminescence (TL) and optically-stimulated luminescence (OSL). These are some of the reasons why NSF should support laboratories that provide solid-sample inorganic analysis for archaeological research. Since solid-sample inorganic analysis is useful in so many archaeological research applications a question that naturally confronts the archaeological-science community is how best to deploy analytical resources so that they are widely available and used to the best ends. Unfortunately, cost and training needs preclude putting analytical instruments in every archaeology lab. In addition, as mentioned in the introduction, analytical labs staffed by scientists in other disciplines, even if they undertake a few archaeological projects, are not likely to pursue sustained research efforts that yield real returns for archaeology. One impediment to productive deployment of solid-sample analytical resources in the service of archaeology has been the need to rely at times on laboratory facilities that are controlled by and intended to serve scientists other than archaeologists. Analytical approaches may not be tailored for archaeological questions, and interest of the analytical specialists tends to flag after an initial period of enthusiasm. At the Institute for Integrated Research in Materials, Environments, and Societies (IIRMES) at California State University Long Beach (CSULB), a string of successful NSF MRI grants together with internal university support have assembled state-of-the-art instrumentation together with a technical staff with expertise in archaeological materials characterization. IIRMES’ founding members include three archaeologists (out of seven total founding members), and a recently hired Laboratory Research Manager has graduate training in archaeological materials analysis. Formal establishment of IIRMES in May, 2004 thus created a unique new institutional resource with a clear and primary commitment to collaborative archaeological research. With the successful funding of this lab by NSF for the purpose of expanding the use of these analytical tools by specialists in archaeology, we are pleased to offer subsidized analysis and visiting researcher programs to stimulate new research questions and techniques within the archaeological community.
Subsidized analysis program With experience gained using LA-ICP-MS over the past five years, certain kinds of analyses can now be considered routine. Obsidian, for instance, can be characterized routinely with sufficient precision to discriminate not only different volcanic sources (Tabares et al. 2005) but even individual flows within a single source area (e.g., Neff 2004). Elemental characterization of ceramic slips (Neff 2003) and pigments (Speakman and Neff 2003) is also relatively routine, as is the analysis of relatively fine-grained ceramic fabrics (Tejeda and Neff 2004). The bulk of our funding request is to subsidize LA-ICP-MS analyses for collaborative archaeological research projects involving such relatively routine projects. For routine analytical work, we will identify or develop appropriate LA-TOF-ICP-MS analytical procedures and direct student employees in sample preparation and data collection. We will also synthesize the analytical data and prepare reports outlining analytical procedures and results of the projects. NSF funding for instrument service and maintenance for the GBC Optimass will permit LA-TOF-ICP-MS to be deployed for routine archaeological applications at rates that should be affordable to a wide cross section of academic researchers. To be eligible for the subsidized rate, researchers will have to submit a CV and 3 – 5 page miniproposal describing the project and sampling design. While the bulk of operating expenses will be covered by the NSF funding, per-sample user fees will be charged in order to cover additional operating expenses beyond TOF-ICP-MS maintenance. These include ICP-MS consumables (torches, sampler and skimmer cones, detectors, etc.), anticipated service and repair on the New Wave UP-213 laser-ablation system (not covered by any maintenance contract), PI, Laboratory Manager, and student time beyond the amount funded by NSF, and other miscellaneous supplies expenses. Initially, the per-sample charge for routine analysis will be $10, and multiple analyses of the same sample (e.g., several pigment colors on a single ceramic sample) will be billed at $8 per analysis. Special procedures, such as infusion of homogenized samples with an internal standard and pressing them into pellets prior to analysis, will be more expensive (e.g., $25 per sample for infused samples).
Visiting researcher program This proposal has secured funding for a visiting researcher program offering subsidized analysis rates for solid sample elemental and isotopic characterization. The visiting researcher program is intended to support highly innovative applications of LA-TOF-ICP-MS and projects that innovatively combine LA-TOF-ICP-MS with SEM/EDX/WDX. Proposals should outline how the work departs from previous analytical work in archaeology and should present a specific, compelling reason why the originating archaeologist should be involved directly in the analytical work. Projects judged not to meet these criteria will be undertaken as subsidized collaborative research projects. For projects judged eligible for support under the visiting researcher program, participant room and board will be covered for up to two weeks in Long Beach, and instrument time on both the TOF-ICP-MS and the ESEM/EDX/WDX will be fully subsidized. For projects that produce very encouraging results during the initial visit, continued remote on-line collaboration involving use of both the ESEM/EDX/WDX and the LA-TOF-ICP-MS will be possible via the PCI-Quartz interface. Instrument time will be fully subsidized for such on-line collaboration, but any additional sample preparation (e.g., preparation of ESEM polished sections) will be paid for by collaborating researchers.
Neff, H. 2003 Analysis of Plumbate pottery surfaces by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Journal of Archaeological Science 30:21-35. 2005 Exploring the potential of time-of-flight ICP-MS for archaeological materials characterization. Poster presented at the Inaugural Archaeological Sciences of the Americas Symposium, University of Arizona, Tucson, September 22 – 25, 2004. Speakman, R. J. and H. Neff 2005 The application of laser ablation ICP-MS to the study of archaeological materials – an introduction. In Laser Ablation ICP-MS in Archaeological Research, edited by R. J. Speakman and H. Neff. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque (in press). Tabares, A. N., M. W. Love, R. J. Speakman, H. Neff, and M. D. Glascock 2005 Straight from the source: obsidian prismatic blades at El Ujuxte, Guatemala. In Laser Ablation ICP-MS in Archaeological Research, edited by R. J. Speakman and H. Neff. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque (in press). Tejeda, A. S. and H. Neff 2004 Laser ablation-Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry of fine paste ceramics of La Blanca, Guatemala. Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Montreal, Canada, April 1, 2004. |
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· Scope of Grant · Subsidized Analysis Program · Visiting Researcher Program |
