Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a method of sourcing obsidian artefacts that takes only 10 seconds – dozens of times faster than the current methods – with a handheld instrument that can be used at archaeological excavations.
Obsidian, naturally occurring volcanic glass, is smooth, hard, and far sharper than a surgical scalpel when fractured, making it a highly desirable raw material for crafting stone tools for almost all of human history. The earliest obsidian tools, found in East Africa, are nearly two million years old, and obsidian scalpels are still used today in specialised medical procedures.
The chemistry of obsidian varies from volcano to volcano, and the chemical “fingerprints” allow researchers to match an obsidian artefact to the volcanic origin of its raw material. The chemical tests often involve dedicated analytical laboratories, even nuclear reactors, and take place months or years after an archaeological site has been excavated.
The new process uses an analytical technique called portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF), which involves a handheld instrument about the size, shape, and weight of a cordless drill. This portability enables archaeologists to identify the origins of stone tools in the field rather than having to send off artefacts to a distant lab. The newly developed method, which saves time and money, will first be used to study obsidian tools made by early humans, including Neanderthals and Homo erectus, tens of thousands of years ago.
Dr Ellery Frahm from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Archaeology explained: “Obsidian sourcing has, for the last 50 years, involved chemical analysis in a distant laboratory, often taking five minutes per artefact, completely separate from the process of archaeological excavation. We sought to bring new tools for chemical analysis with us into the field, so we can do obsidian sourcing as we excavate or survey an archaeological site, not wait until months or years later to learn the results. We can now analyse an obsidian artefact in the field, and just 10 seconds later, we have an answer for its origin.
The Latest Bing News on:
Portable X-ray fluorescence
- St George project review identifies fertile WA lithium trendon May 8, 2024 at 1:33 am
A project-wide lithium sweep of St George Mining’s Mt Alexander operation near the historic Western Australian town of Menzies has isolated multiple new drill targets for a campaign slated to launch ...
- Best Practices for Publishing pXRF Analyseson April 18, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Colin P. Quinn [Opens in a new window], With its promise of nondestructive processing, rapid low-cost sampling, and portability to any field site or museum in the world, portable X-ray fluorescence ...
- Use of Portable X-Ray Fluorescence for Detecting and Quantifying Mercury Contamination Out in the Fieldon April 10, 2024 at 4:20 am
In this interview, Michael Hull talks about using portable X-ray fluorescence for detecting and quantifying mercury contamination in the field. In the petroleum stream or crude oil, mercury ...
- Use of Portable X-Ray Fluorescence for Detecting and Quantifying Mercury Contamination Out in the Fieldon April 10, 2024 at 3:56 am
In this interview, Michael Hull talks about using portable X-ray fluorescence for detecting and quantifying mercury contamination in the field. What are the health and environmental risks associated ...
- Chart of the Day: Bruker Measures Upon March 8, 2024 at 5:51 am
portable, and mobile X-ray fluorescence spectrometry instruments; atomic force microscopy instrumentation; non-contact nanometer resolution solution topography; and automated X-ray metrology ...
- How portable X-ray machines are helping remote patientson January 7, 2024 at 4:00 pm
Portable X-ray machines "can literally be the difference between life and death", says radiographer Sam Pilkington. For most of us, if we need to be X-rayed the procedure is done in a hospital.
- A new diagnosison March 21, 2022 at 11:51 am
while Olympus is a global market provider of portable XRF systems for rapid on-site measurements and has experience in the field of X-ray fluorescence. The Redwave XRF sorting system was initially ...
- What is X-ray Fluorescence?on January 26, 2022 at 9:24 am
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a non-destructive technique that uses ... or the nature of ancient resource use. Portable XRF technology is revolutionizing the way scientists and descendent communities - ...
- X‑Ray Fluorescence Analyzer (XRF)on July 29, 2015 at 1:28 pm
The Thermo Scientific Niton XL3t 950 GOLDD is a portable, handheld x-ray fluorescence analyzer. Combining advanced technology with versatile x-ray tubes, this instrument is ideal for field analysis, ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Portable X-ray fluorescence
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Portable X-ray fluorescence” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
New tools for chemical analysis
- Scientists Take New Approach in Fight Against Counterfeit Alcoholic Spiritson May 9, 2024 at 2:16 am
In the shadowy world of counterfeit alcoholic spirit production, where profits soar and brands are exploited, the true extent of this illegal market remains shrouded. Scientists are compiling a ...
- Waters Corporation: Waters ACQUITY QDa II Mass Detector Delivers Wider Range of Chemical Analysis within Cost-Effective, Lower Energy Instrumenton May 8, 2024 at 5:32 am
ACQUITY QDa II Mass Detector enhances confidence in routine compound identification using the specificity of mass analysis to boost efficiency, robustness, and productivity ...
- Waters ACQUITY QDa II Mass Detector Delivers Wider Range of Chemical Analysis within Cost-Effective, Lower Energy Instrumenton May 8, 2024 at 5:00 am
Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) today announced the release of the ACQUITY QDa II Mass Detector, the evolution of its highly successful, compact, and streamlined mass detection instrument that delivers ...
- Research team develops AI to perform chemical synthesison May 8, 2024 at 2:01 am
Chemistry, with its intricate processes and vast potential for innovation, has always been a challenge for automation. Traditional computational tools, despite their advanced capabilities, often ...
- An AI leap into chemical synthesison May 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm
EPFL scientists introduce ChemCrow, a large language model-based AI system that revolutionizes chemistry by integrating 18 advanced tools for tasks like organic synthesis and drug discovery. ChemCrow ...
- New tech traces accurate oxygen levels in blood from breath in real-timeon May 7, 2024 at 10:26 am
Fraunhofer IPM in Freiburg developed a fluorescence-based sensor that addresses a much-needed gap in hospitals.
- Emerging AI technologies make it easier for bad actors to 'conceptualize and conduct' chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attacks: DHSon April 29, 2024 at 2:08 pm
Emerging technologies in artificial intelligence will make it easier for bad actors to "conceptualize and conduct" chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attacks, according to a report released ...
- U-M scientists develop new tool to better understand neuronal signalingon April 24, 2024 at 12:51 pm
University of Michigan researchers have developed a new tool to better understand how chemicals like dopamine and epinephrine interact with neurons.
- Chemical tool illuminates pathways used by dopamine, opioids and other neuronal signalson April 23, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Researchers have developed a new tool to better understand how chemicals like dopamine and epinephrine interact with neurons.
- How scientists are accelerating chemistry discoveries with automationon April 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Scientists have developed an automated workflow that could accelerate the discovery of new pharmaceutical ... chemical processes. The developed workflow -- which applies statistical analysis ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
New tools for chemical analysis
[google_news title=”” keyword=”new tools for chemical analysis” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]