Compositional analysis of American southwestern ceramics by neutron activation analysis

Abstract

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to perform compositional analysis on more than 200 potsherds from prehistoric ceramic pottery collected in or near the Mimbres Valley in New Mexico. Statistical evaluation of the data was used to identify samples of similar origin. Results indicate that at least two sites within the Mimbres heartland and one in the Upper Gilla Valley existed for the production of the characteristic Classic Mimbres pottery. The composition of the clusters of samples identified are described and the significance of the groupings to the archaeology of the region is discussed.