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Discriminating volcanic centers with handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

Publication ,  Journal Article
Harmon, RS; Throckmorton, CS; Hark, RR; Gottfried, JL; Wörner, G; Harpp, K; Collins, L
Published in: Journal of Archaeological Science
October 1, 2018

Microcrystalline igneous rocks of volcanic origin, such as basalt or rhyolite, were a common source of prehistoric stone tools. This study explores the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) as part of an effort to develop analytical tools to examine geological materials of archaeological interest. LIBS is a method of atomic emission spectroscopy capable of providing rapid, in situ elemental analysis of any material with minimal to no sample preparation. We have utilized both a bespoke laboratory system and a commercial handheld analyzer to acquire broadband LIBS emission spectra for fresh and unaltered volcanic samples of varying age and composition from two tectonic settings. The distinguishing chemical characteristics of the different volcanic regions and centers were identified and their sources differentiated through multivariate chemometric analysis. Classification and discrimination has been achieved with a high degree of success using a pattern recognition approach. These results suggest that the provenance of stone artifacts may be identified in the field using handheld LIBS through the use of algorithmic matching of LIBS emission spectra against a sufficiently robust and representative database previously prepared by analysis of samples of known origin.

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Published In

Journal of Archaeological Science

DOI

EISSN

1095-9238

ISSN

0305-4403

Publication Date

October 1, 2018

Volume

98

Start / End Page

112 / 127

Related Subject Headings

  • Archaeology
  • 4301 Archaeology
  • 2101 Archaeology
  • 0403 Geology
  • 0402 Geochemistry
 

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Harmon, R. S., Throckmorton, C. S., Hark, R. R., Gottfried, J. L., Wörner, G., Harpp, K., & Collins, L. (2018). Discriminating volcanic centers with handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Journal of Archaeological Science, 98, 112–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2018.07.009
Harmon, R. S., C. S. Throckmorton, R. R. Hark, J. L. Gottfried, G. Wörner, K. Harpp, and L. Collins. “Discriminating volcanic centers with handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).” Journal of Archaeological Science 98 (October 1, 2018): 112–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2018.07.009.
Harmon RS, Throckmorton CS, Hark RR, Gottfried JL, Wörner G, Harpp K, et al. Discriminating volcanic centers with handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Journal of Archaeological Science. 2018 Oct 1;98:112–27.
Harmon, R. S., et al. “Discriminating volcanic centers with handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).” Journal of Archaeological Science, vol. 98, Oct. 2018, pp. 112–27. Scopus, doi:10.1016/j.jas.2018.07.009.
Harmon RS, Throckmorton CS, Hark RR, Gottfried JL, Wörner G, Harpp K, Collins L. Discriminating volcanic centers with handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Journal of Archaeological Science. 2018 Oct 1;98:112–127.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Archaeological Science

DOI

EISSN

1095-9238

ISSN

0305-4403

Publication Date

October 1, 2018

Volume

98

Start / End Page

112 / 127

Related Subject Headings

  • Archaeology
  • 4301 Archaeology
  • 2101 Archaeology
  • 0403 Geology
  • 0402 Geochemistry