Chemical speciation of archaeological objects by XRF/XANES analysis using synchrotron radiation

Abstract

Synchrotron Radiation Induced X-ray Fluorescence analysis was successfully applied to the analysis of archaeological objects. The method enables us to carry out nondestructive microprobe analysis of the samples. This study shows that XANES spectrum obtained by the X-ray fluorescence detection is suitable for chemical state analysis of elements in a micro-region. The following two examples are shown to illustrate the advantage of the method: two dimensional analysis of clay doll made in China in A.D. 4c and chemical state analysis of iron in black glaze of the fragments of Temmoku bowl excavated at the kiln site in southern China. © 1991, The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry. All Rights Reserved.