Prompt-gamma activation analysis and its application to cultural heritage

Published

January 25, 2022

Author(s)

Zsolt Kasztovszky, Christian Stieghorst, Heather H. Chen-Mayer, Richard Livingston, Richard M. Lindstrom

Abstract

Prompt-gamma activation analysis (PGAA) provides a unique opportunity to investigate valuable material without destroying any of it. The method is perfectly applicable to investigate valuable objects belonging to our cultural heritage, as well as other materials. There are less than a dozen laboratories where PGAA is routinely used, and only a few of them where the necessary competence to conduct cultural heritage related research is available. We describe three laboratories, one each in Hungary, Germany and the US. The applicability of the method in general is independent of the physical and chemical nature of the samples. The aim of the archaeometry research is to come to conclusions about provenance, means of production or authenticity of the objects through their compositional features. We present some characteristic examples from each of the laboratories for different kinds of archaeological objects.

Citation

Handbook of Cultural Heritage Analysis Techniques

Publisher Info

Springer, New York, NY

Pub Type

Book Chapters

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DOI Link

Keywords

Prompt-gamma activation analysis, Cultural Heritage, provenance, stone tools, ceramics, glass, metals

Citation

Kasztovszky, Z. , Stieghorst, C. , Chen-Mayer, H. , Livingston, R. and Lindstrom, R. (2022), Prompt-gamma activation analysis and its application to cultural heritage, Handbook of Cultural Heritage Analysis Techniques, Springer, New York, NY, [online], https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60016-7_6 (Accessed April 24, 2025)