A Consumer's Guide to Archaeological Science Analytical Techniques
Many archaeologists, as primarily social scientists, do not have a background in the natural sciences. This can pose a problem because they need to obtain chemical and physical analyses on samples to perform their research. This manual is an essential sou
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MANUALS IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHOD, THEORY AND TECHNIQUE Series Editors: Charles E. Orser, Jr., Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois Michael B. Schiffer, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
For more information on this series, visit: http://www.springer.com/series/6256
Mary E. Malainey
A Consumer’s Guide to Archaeological Science Analytical Techniques
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Mary E. Malainey Department of Anthropology Brandon University Manitoba, Canada
ISSN 1571-5752 ISBN 978-1-4419-5703-0 e-ISBN 978-1-4419-5704-7 DOI 10.1007/978-1-4419-5704-7 Springer New York Dordrecht Heidelberg London Library of Congress Control Number: 2010934257 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011 All rights reserved. This work may not be translated or copied in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher (Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA), except for brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis. Use in connection with any form of information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed is forbidden. The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if they are not identified as such, is not to be taken as an expression of opinion as to whether or not they are subject to proprietary rights. Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)
Preface
There is growing interest in the application of analytical techniques to archaeological materials; however, many archaeologists and students of archaeology have little or no background in the natural sciences. The purpose of this book is to explain archaeological science to archaeologists. Analytical techniques are presented in a manner that the average North American archaeologist can understand. Sample requirements, potential benefits, and limitations of each approach are outlined so that an archaeologist can be a better informed consumer. It is not intended to train archaeological scientists. The work is written with the assumption that the reader is familiar with archaeological terminology and methodology; in this respect, it is more suitable for senior undergraduate- and graduate-level students. It can also serve as a reference guide for academic researchers and cultural resource management archaeologists interested in employing these techniques, researchers supervising students who employ them, or those who simply want to better understand their application. The information presented should enable an archaeologist to understand and critically evaluate • the suitability of various analytical techniques to address particular archaeological questions; • the data generated through the application of these techniques; • the validity of archaeological interpretations made on the basis of the data. The book is divided into four parts, Basic Science, Applications, Materials, and Instrumentation. Basic Science consists of six
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