Provenance Of Materials Research Articles

Archaeometric Approach for Studying Architectural Earthenwares from the Archaeological Site of S. Omobono (Rome-Italy)

This paper reports the findings of an archaeometric study performed on 14 architectural earthenwares from the archaeological site of S. Omobono, located in the historic center of Rome (Italy). The archaeological site, accidentally discovered in 1937, includes the remains of a sacred area previously occupied by two temples, one of which was converted into the church of S. Omobono, in 1575. The samples, dated between the 7th and the 6th century BC, belong to different sectors of the site. Their petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical characterization was performed by optical microscopy (OM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA), and Raman spectroscopy (RS). The compositional data obtained were also subjected to the principal component analysis (PCA) in order to highlight similarities and differences among the samples. By combining geochemical and petrographic data, we were able to identify several different fabrics. Furthermore, the study provided valuable information on the firing temperatures of some samples and the provenance of the raw materials, by analyzing the chemical composition of clinopyroxenes present as non-plastic inclusions.

Obsidian from the Bronze Age Village of San Vincenzo, Stromboli, Aeolian Islands: A Preliminary Investigation

Abstract We present the preliminary results of the ongoing investigation of the obsidian from the Bronze Age village of San Vincenzo, Stromboli, Aeolian Islands, for the purpose of providing technological and typological characterization, and also provenance of the raw material, the latter with non-destructive p-XRF. Regarding provenance, the source of the raw material is likely to be neighbouring Lipari. It was transported to Stromboli and used mostly in a highly opportunistic manner and for the production of blade(let), non-bladelike tools (mainly scrapers) and micro bladelets. The obsidian distribution around the site shows concentration in both domestic and production areas.

TL dating and XRF clay provenance analysis of ancient brick at Cuicul Roman city, Algeria

In this work, a terra-cotta brick collected from the famous archaeological Roman city Cuicul, Algeria, was successfully dated by thermoluminescence. The provenance of the fabrication material was also identified by X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF). The results obtained show that the brick was probably made in 198 A.D. This date is in good agreement with the history of the dated site and the neighborhood Caracalla arch edified in honour to Caracalla emperor (211–217 A.D.). The XRF study demonstrates that the raw clay used for the fabrication of the brick is local and well selected by the Roman builders.

Comment on Baltic provenance of top-Famennian siliciclastic material of the northern Rhenish Massif, Rhenohercynian zone of the Variscan orogen, by Koltonik et al., International Journal of Earth Sciences (2018) 107:2645–2669

Koltonik et al. (Int J Earth Sci 107:2645–2669, 2018) evidence that the Late Devonian siliciclastic rocks from the Rheno-Hercynian Zone, in Germany, derived from Baltica and Scandinavian Caledonides. This finding together with what is known about the provenance of the Pulo do Lobo and South Portuguese zones, in Portugal and Spain, reinforces the probability that Late Devonian basins may have been sourced from distinct terranes placed along the Variscan suture. Our comment intends to underline changes in the provenance of the Late Devonian basins along the active margin of Laurussia, and also, to improve the correlation model for the Variscan tectonic units from SW Iberia and Germany.

Re-circumscription of Werneria cochlearis (Compositae): Nomenclature, taxonomic notes, and new synonyms

Much has been written about the taxonomic entity of Werneria denticulata albeit there is still a lack of consensus. On the basis of taxonomic evidence and the clarification of the provenance of the type material, we synonymize it under W. cochlearis. The names W. brachypappa and W. pygmaea var. rhodopappa are lectotypified.

A Study on the Material Characteristics of Stone Tools Excavated from the Remain Point of Paleolithic Age in Osong Site, Cheongju

This study analyzes the material characteristics of stone tools of the Paleolithic period excavated from the Osong site, located at the project site for the creation of the Osong 2nd Life Science Complex, and estimates the provenance of the stone materials. Because the stones had been buried for a long time, their surfaces had become heavily weathered yellow or yellowish-brown, and the magnetic susceptibility values varied from 0 to 15(×10-3 SI). The excavated stone tools were rocks with various magnetic susceptibility values that could not be specified. Five stone tools subjected to destructive analysis were divided into two groups, one with a value of 1-3(×10-3 SI) and the other with a value of 5–9(×10-3 SI), both based on visible characteristics. The results of the thin-section analysis showed that most of the stone tools were basaltic rocks comprising plagioclase, quartz, and pyroxene, and some had iron content as high as 20 wt.%. These findings and the present geological map suggest that the stone tools were not made from the surrounding rocks because there are no areas containing basaltic rocks surrounding Bongsan-ri in Osong-eup. Andesite and tuff are distributed along with basaltic rocks in the Doan-myeon area in Jeongpyeong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do Province, but the distance from the excavation site is too far. To determine whether this region is actually related to the provenance of the raw rock, it is necessary to conduct additional field surveys and comprehensive and precise analyses.

Petrology and Provenance of Lithic Raw Materials used to knap stone: A Case Study From the Inner Ionian Sea

This paper examines the lithology and raw material provenance of knapped stone artifacts recovered from prehistoric sites on Meganisi in the course of the Inner Ionian Sea Archipelago survey. Research was twofold: in the field to map the geology of the island and collect raw material samples, and in the laboratory to conduct a petrological study using LM, XRD, SEM and ICP-MS techniques. The greater part of the materials used to produce stone tools consists of almost pure SiO2, bedded or nodular cherts mainly of Malm–Turonian and Eocene ages. The cherts were collected by prehistoric knappers from local sources. Patinas present on the artifacts are relatively enriched in calcite material of incomplete silica diagenesis and subsequently a product of late weathering and alteration.

Population convergence in the Strobel Plateau: A discussion based on the study of lithic raw materials variability

Rock art research carried out in the Strobel Plateau (Santa Cruz province, Patagonia, Argentina - 700 to 1200 masl) has shown that during Late Holocene population convergence took place in this area, where information was concentrated and distributed on a supra-regional scale (Belardi & Goñi 2006; Goñi 2010; Re 2010; Goñi et al. 2007, 2014). The central position of this plateau in the province's steppe would also be a crucial factor regarding this process (Belardi & Goñi 2006). In this context, the aim of this work is to study this idea of population dynamics given the evidence from lithic technology. In order to do this, we first consider the analysis of variability and provenance of lithic raw materials used for the manufacture of artefacts. It is important to highlight that after 15 years of research carried out in the Strobel Plateau we have not found any lithic source. However, previous works suggest that lithic resources used in the Strobel Plateau are located in nearby areas. Therefore, when analysing the variability, provenance and distance of sources, this work seeks to discuss the access to the plateau and the regional circulation axes. The obtained results support the idea of population convergence occurring in Late Holocene.

Investigation of limestone and dolomite clast alteration in petrocalcic horizons, southern Nevada, USA

Petrocalcic horizons formed on Quaternary surfaces in southern Nevada contain altered limestone and dolomite clasts in the enveloping carbonate matrix. Three profiles from two geomorphic surfaces contain pebble to cobble clasts with distinct voids and alteration textures at their tops. Clast and alteration zone characteristics were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe analysis, and with an inductively-coupled plasma spectrophotometer. Limestone and dolomite clasts display considerable top-down alteration marked by vertical tubular voids and an increase in neoformed fibrous clay in the altered regions. Downward percolating soil waters moved through the cemented horizon and contacted the upper clast boundaries as evidenced by selective alteration and void development at the tops of clasts. The preservation of voids indicates that alteration and void development began no earlier than initial petrocalcic formation when soil matrix pore spaces were largely filled with pedogenic carbonate. Undersaturation of soil fluids with respect to primary clast components (Ca and/or Mg) and/or increased pCO2 under conditions enhanced during wetter (pluvial) climates is interpreted to drive dissolution and alteration of clasts in these horizons. Resulting morphological and mineralogical changes in these petrocalcic horizons may mark past climate and geomorphic influence on their development over time. Misinterpretation of parent material provenance as a result of selected removal of individual clast lithologies may occur.

Potential source areas for Lower Volga loess: provenance analysis using detrital zircon U-Pb ages

Knowledge about origin and transport of aeolian mineral dust in the past and modern times plays an important role in the understanding of climate. Atmospheric circulation patterns and dust dynamics can be revealed by tracing back the provenance of airborne material. The source of loess deposits in the Lower Volga region of Russia is not known, yet represents a key location for Eurasian climate history reconstruction. The problem is addressed using U-Pb dating of detrital zircons from the loess deposits and potential source sediments such as East European Plain, Crimea, Caucasus, Volga, Caspian Sea and Central Asian desert sediments. Identifying the actual source of Lower Volga loess will help to understand past dust transport pathways and climate evolution in the region and its implications for regional and global climate.

부여 대조사 석조미륵보살입상 佛眼에 사용된 琉璃의 材質特性 및 原料 供給地 推定

In this study, we tried to unde rstand the construction background by analyzing the material characteristics and searching the raw material source site for glass used for eyes of the stone standing maitreya bodhisattva of Daeijosa Temple, Bueyeo.BR The result of component analysis of glass used for eyes of stone Buddha show that they are common lead glass system(PbO-SiO2). Especially, Cu, Fe and Zn were detected as a elements which are involved in the coloring agent, and the component content is higher than other analyzed lead glass. It is considered that the type and amount of additives were intentionally controlled in oder to express the black eyes in glass production. Estimated melting point of lead glass excavated from Mireuksaji site was reported to be 670℃. Compared with the composition and melting temperature of lead glasses from Mireuksaji site, the lead glass used for eyes of stone Buddha is estimated to have a higher melting point than mireuksaji site.BR Most of the lead glasses used for eyes of stone Buddha is deteriorated with pollutants. It is classified into the outside part which are always exposed to the outside environment, the boundary part and the inside part, and the weathering pattern is different. Inside, It is appeared the typical weathering patterns of glass. On the other hand, outer surface is high weathered due to discoloration and crystallization. Therefore, It is show different state from its original appearance. The result of the provenance of lead raw material used for eyes of stone Buddhas, It is estimated that the raw materials of lead were obtained from the northern part of China, or zone 3 of Jeolla province belonging to the Okcheon belt and Yongnam massif in Korea.BR Although the lead glass is now weathered and deteriorated from its original form, it can be seen that a high degree of glass manufacturing technology was used to express the eyes of the stone Buddha at that time. In this study, there is a lack of comparison with the results of the analysis of lead glass found or excavated around the same age. However, through this study, it is confirmed that the high degree of glass manufacturing technology was used in the production of the stone Buddhist, and it is a unique result reflecting the regional specificity.

Microstructural, Mineralogical and Petrographical Characteristics of the Medieval Ceramics from the Studenica Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site): Implications on the Pottery Technology and Provenance of The Raw Material.

On the basis of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometry and X-ray powder diffraction analyses, we present detailed mineralogical and petrographical characteristics of 63 samples of cooking and tablewares, which originate from two Medieval horizons (S1 and S2) in the Studenica Monastery, as well as of three samples of clays regarded as possible pottery raw material. The composition of the ceramic matrix is compatible with the composition of local clay and clasts that reflect the geology of the Studenica's surroundings. This indicates that almost all studied vessels are unequivocally made locally. However, four wares may represent imports because they show similarities with Byzantine sgraffito wares, and ceramics from the Peloponnese (13th century). In terms of technological and morphological characteristics, the studied pottery collection represents a standardized production. Firing temperatures, estimated according to the level of matrix crystallinity, mineral reactions, and the mode of the appearance of fracture surfaces, indicate that most of cooking wares were fired at 600-700°C. All glazed wares, including tablewares and cooking pots from both S1 and S2, were fired at minimum 800-900°C. Along with technological and morphological standardization the characteristics of the studied collection show knowledge of traditional skills as well as trends within the Byzantine artistic craft circle.

Norse Management of Wooden Resources across the North Atlantic: Highlights from the Norse Greenlandic Settlements

ABSTRACT Trees and timber are of great importance in many cultures across the globe, whether used as a construction material, as a fuel source, or for making tools and items of everyday life. This was also true in medieval Norse communities, resulting in the presence of considerable amounts of wooden artifacts and raw materials in sites across the North Atlantic. Because of a limited or even sometimes nonexistent timber supply, the Norse needed to rely on external wood sources, drifted or imported wood, for their everyday needs. Following the recent work of researchers in Iceland and the Faroe Islands, this paper presents results obtained from 710 artifacts distributed across seven sites in the Eastern and Western Settlements of medieval Greenland. Taxa identification is used first not only to discuss the strategies of wood exploitation by the Norse but also to give insights into the provenance of wooden materials. These, then, contribute to our understanding of timber management, human-environmental relations and mobility across the North Atlantic.

Geochemical and petrographic characterization of pyroclastic deposits of Los Humeros Volcanic Complex used as aggregates in the plasters from Teotihuacan (Mexico)

This work presents the results of the petrographic and geochemical characterization of pyroclastic deposits outcropping in an area located to the northeast and southeast of Los Humeros Volcanic Complex, in the eastern part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB). The results were compared with the analyses of aggregates in the plasters of Xalla in Teotihuacan (Mexico) in order to determine the provenance of the raw materials (in particular glass shards) used as aggregates. The characterization of the deposits and the raw materials used in the plasters was conducted by OM, SEM/EDS and LA-ICP-MS. Petrographic and geochemical studies have highlighted the geochemical similarity among glass shards used as aggregates in the plasters of Teotihuacan (Teopancazco and Xalla) and the pyroclastic deposits outcropping around Altotonga, a town located in the northeast of Los Humeros Caldera. This similarity shows the importance of the use of a volcanic cinder, rich in glass shards, in plasters from different areas of the Teotihuacan city.The paper also examines the characteristics of plasters – in some cases painted – from Xalla, thus confirming the re-plastering and re-painting phenomena and the use of hematite, identified by Raman Spectroscopy.

Isotope stratigraphy and U-Pb dating of detrital zircons from the Vendian-Cambrian deposits of the North Muya block

U-Pb dating of detrital zircons from the sandstones of the Mamakan Formation has been made. Geochemical and isotope parameters of the carbonate deposits of the Yanguda Formation in the Vendian-Cambrian cover of the North Muya continental block have been estimated. It has been established that only the Neoproterozoic (630-915 Ma) rocks of the North Muya block were the provenances of terrigenous material. In the least altered carbonate rocks of the Yanguda Formation, the 87Sr/86Sr ratio is within 0.70814-0.70879 and δ13C varies from -0.4 to + 1.9‰. Comparison of the evaluated isotope parameters with those of carbonate rocks of typical Vendian-Cambrian sections shows that the carbonate deposits of the Yanguda Formation accumulated in the Early Cambrian, about 520 Ma. Sedimentation of the Mamakan and Yanguda Formations took place in the local sedimentary basin in the Vendian-Early Cambrian, in the absence of tectonic activity within the North Muya block. Detrital material that formed during the destruction of the rocks of the Siberian Platform basement and cover was not supplied into the basin.

Extreme enrichment of arsenic and rare earth elements in acid mine drainage: Case study of Wiśniówka mining area (south-central Poland)

The Wiśniówka rock strip mining area (south-central Poland) with quartzite quarries, acid water bodies and tailings piles is one of the most unique acid mine drainage (AMD) sites throughout the world. This is due to the occurrence of enormous amounts of pyrite unknown in sedimentary formations worldwide. Of the two mineralization zones, one that is the most abundant in arsenical pyrite occurs in the lowermost Upper Cambrian formation of the Podwiśniówka quarry. The As-rich pyritiferous clastic rocks are exposed as a result of deep quartzite extraction during 2013–2014. In addition, the clayey-silty shale interbeds are enriched in rare earth element (REE) minerals. The mining operation left an acidic lake with a pH of about 2.4–2.6 and increased contents of sulfates, metal(loid)s and REE. The Podwiśniówka pyrite-rich waste material was stacked up in many places of the mining area giving rise to strongly acidic spills that jeopardized the neighboring environment. One of these unexplored tailings piles was a source of extremely sulfate- and metal(loid)-rich pools with unusual enrichments in As (up to 1548 mg L−1) and REE (up to 24.84 mg L−1). These distinctly exceeded those previously reported in the Wiśniówka area. A broad scope of geochemical, mineralogical and petrographic methods was used to document these specific textural and mineralogical properties of pyrite facilitating its rapid oxidation. The pyrite oxidation products reacted with REE-bearing minerals releasing these elements into acid water bodies. Statistical methods were employed to connect the obtained tailings pool hydrogeochemical data with those derived from this and the previous studies of the Podwiśniówka and Wiśniówka Duża acid pit lakes. In contrast to metal(loid) profiles, the characteristic shale-normalized REE concentration patterns turned out to be more suitable for solving different AMD issues including provenance of mine waste material in the tailings pile examined.

Curiosity's Investigation of the Bagnold Dunes, Gale Crater: Overview of the Two‐Phase Scientific Campaign and Introduction to the Special Collection

AbstractBetween November 2015 and April 2017, Curiosity performed the first in situ investigation of an extraterrestrial dune field—the active Bagnold Dunes of Gale crater, Mars. The campaign consisted of two phases: Phase 1 occurred in southern fall/winter at Namib and High Dunes, two barchan dunes along the trailing edge of the dune field; Phase 2 occurred in southern summer at the Nathan Bridges Dune, a linear dune, and Mount Desert Island, a ripple field along the southern margin of the dune field. Both phases included a suite of observations and measurements that bear significance to our understanding of modern winds, associated sand fluxes, bedform morphology, and physical properties, composition, provenance, and sorting of eolian materials. Altogether, results described in a total of 26 manuscripts (11 of which are presented in this special collection) define the current understanding of Martian eolian processes at subdune scales, complementing previous orbiter‐based studies that encompassed larger scales.

Archaeometric constraints by multidisciplinary study of Richborough 527 amphorae and yellow clays from the C.da Portinenti pottery workshop (Lipari Island, Italy)

During the archeological excavations carried out from 1993 to 1995 at C.da Portinenti, at Lipari Island, a pottery workshop dated to Roman age—including a kiln dump containing both Richborough 527 type amphora wastes and ceramic shreds—was discovered. The Richborough 527 amphorae had been used to transport local volcanic and hydrothermal products throughout the Roman Empire. Here, we present the results of a multidisciplinary archaeometric study carried out with the aim to shed light on the provenance of the raw materials used in the production of the Richborough 527 amphorae. To achieve this goal, amphora wastes and a sample of yellow clays stored in the archeological excavation area have been analyzed, and the data were compared to those available for clays coming from Lipari and from the Messina Province. The overall results indicate that (i) a volcanic sand from Portinenti Valley was used as temper in the ceramic mixture; (ii) the geochemical features and the fossils present in the ceramic paste are compatible with marine Pleistocene clayey deposits of the Messina Province and incompatible with the clays of Lipari island; (iii) the yellow clays found in the excavation area were not used to produce the Richborough 527; and (iv) the analyzed wastes are the results of a poorly controlled firing temperature during the ceramic artifact production.

A composite position independent monitor of reactor fuel irradiation using Pu, Cs, and Ba isotope ratios

When post-irradiation materials from the nuclear fuel cycle are released to the environment, certain isotopes of actinides and fission products carry signatures of irradiation history that can potentially aid a nuclear forensic investigation into the material's provenance. In this study, combinations of Pu, Cs, and Ba isotope ratios that produce position (in the reactor core) independent monitors of irradiation history in spent light water reactor fuel are identified and explored. These position independent monitors (PIMs) are modeled for various irradiation scenarios using automated depletion codes as well as ordinary differential equation solutions to approximate nuclear physics models. Experimental validation was performed using irradiated low enriched uranium oxide fuel from a light water reactor, which was sampled at 8 axial positions from a single rod. Plutonium, barium and cesium were chemically separated and isotope ratio measurements of the separated solutions were made by quadrupole and multi-collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry (Cs and Pu, respectively) and thermal ionization mass spectrometry (Ba). The effect of axial variations in neutron fluence and energy spectrum are evident in the measured isotope ratios. Two versions of a combined Pu and Cs based PIM are developed. A linear PIM model, which can be used to solve for irradiation time is found to work well for natural U fuel with <10% 240Pu and known or short cooling times. A non-linear PIM model, which cannot be solved explicitly for irradiation time without additional information, can nonetheless still group samples by irradiation history, including high burnup LEU fuel with unknown cooling time. 137Ba/138Ba is also observed to act as a position independent monitor; it is nearly single valued across the sampled fuel rod, indicating that samples sharing an irradiation history (same irradiation time and cooling time) in a reactor despite experiencing different neutron fluxes will have a common 137Ba/138Ba ratio. Modeling of this Ba PIM shows it increases monotonically with irradiation and cooling time, and a confirmatory first order analytical solution is also presented.

Ceramic materials from Cuatrovitas archaelogical site (Spain). A mineralogical and chemical study for determining the provenance and the firing temperature

The characterization of ceramic materials from archaeological sites is of great importance to learn about the human traditions and regional History. In this work, 12 pieces of ceramics of the Cuatrovitas Archaelogical Site (Bollullos de la Mitación, Seville, Spain) were studied to approach the provenance of the raw material and the firing temperature. In addition, raw materials, from possible sources areas used for the manufacture of those ceramics, were also studied. Mineralogical characterization by XRD and chemical analyses of major, trace and rare earth elements were performed on both raw and ceramic materials. Thin sections, SEM-EDS analyses and micro-XRF mapping were carried out to complete the mineralogical and chemical characterization. The results show that there are two types of ceramic materials, probably prepared by mixtures of different clays and sandy materials. A feasible source area for those raw materials could be the alluvial of the Guadiamar River. According to the mineralogy of the high-temperature phases found in the ceramic pieces, two firing temperatures can be approached: one at 800–850 °C owing to the presence of calcite, and another at 900–950 °C because of the presence of diopside and gehlenite.