Exploring the Evolving Universe

Contract Archaeological Artifact Analysis for Cultural Resource Management (CRM)

Types of Archaeological Artifact Analysis

The archaeologists at IIRMES support the archaeological community, including Cultural Resource Management firms, by offering solid sampling micro-chemical artifact analysis and thermal luminescence (TL) dating at contract rates. Using state of the art laser ablation and time of flight inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-TOF-ICPMS), and scanning electron microscopy with integrated energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), our scientists can provide chemical characterization of your ceramic, lithic and in some cases, bone and tooth artifacts. Chemical assays can help determine source areas (provenance) of these artifacts, as well as assessing functional characteristics and post-depositional alteration. Our  TL lab is fully outfitted and can provide absolute and relative archaeometric dating on appropriate artifact types.

Some of our recently completed projects include:

· LA-ICP-MS Analysis of Ceramics and Ceramic Raw Materials from the Gila River Indian Community, Arizona

· LA-ICP-MS Analysis of Argillite and Argillaceous Lithics from Southern California and Northern Arizona

· LA-ICP-MS Source Analysis of Obsidian Artifacts from Southern California

· TL dating and LA-ICP-MS on the Virgin Branch Anasazi ceramics in Mt. Trumbull area, Northern Arizona

· EDX Microanalysis and Element Mapping of Small Mineral Inclusions from Chablekal Fine Gray Ware Ceramics

 

Fees For Typical Artifact Analyses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact the Artifact Analysis Group

For LA-TOF-ICPMS, contact:

 

Dr. Hector Neff

Department of Anthropology

1250 Bellflower Blvd.

California State University, Long Beach

Long Beach, CA  90840

(562) 985-4468

hneff@csulb.edu

 

 

For SEM imaging or EDX analysis, contact:

 

Chris Mull

IIRMES

1250 Bellflower Blvd.

California State University, Long Beach

Long Beach, CA  90840

cmull@csulb.edu

 

 

For Luminescence Dating, contact:

 

Dr. Carl Lipo

Department of Anthropology

1250 Bellflower Blvd.

California State University, Long Beach

Long Beach, CA  90840

(562) 985-2393

clipo@csulb.edu

· Types of Analyses

· Fees for Analyses

· Contacting the Artifact Analysis Group