Archaeological Soils and Sediments: Application of Microfocus Synchrotron X-ray Scattering, Diffraction, and Fluorescence Analyses in Thin-Section

摘要

Archaeological soils and sediments reflect the cultural environment in which they have been formed, Their analysis allows assessment of the nature and intensity of past events. With the results of such analyses playing an increasing role in forming archaeological interpretations, there is a need to verify optical analysis and interpretation of materials and to examine materials that are presently considered amorphous or unknown in conventional optical analyses. This paper discusses the use of microfocus sychrotron X-ray methods and the issues surrounding their application to archaeological soils and sediments.