Archaeometry at OSU’s Radiation Center

Studies involving artifact provenance (or geographic source) are the most common application of trace-element studies in archaeology.

 The Provenance Principle: 

 

Every raw material source has a unique geochemical signature that allows us to identify artifacts made from that source based on their elemental composition.

 

 

First, however, we must identify the geochemical “signature” or “fingerprint” of a source from its unique combination of trace elements.

 

Success in applying the Provenance Principle depends on:

 

           1. Geographic distribution of raw material:  point source or regional?

 

           2. Character of raw material source: homogeneous or heterogeneous?

 

           3. Scale of variability in source: discrete or clinal?

 

Two very different materials - obsidian and ceramics - illustrate the challenges.