ACRA Webinar: Investigating Archaeological Artifacts Using Isotopic Techniques

Archaeological artifacts - items made and used by humans - hold important information about the dynamics of past civilizations. The isotopic analysis of such artifacts can provide rich information about the origin of raw materials used to make items, trade histories and even uncover details on how the artifact was used. In this webinar, Beta Analytic and Isobar Science will be discussing the use of Lead (Pb), Strontium (Sr), Nitrogen ( 15N) and Carbon ( 13C) isotopes on metal artifacts, pigments, glass, textiles (including silk, wool, cotton and leather) and ceramics.

The agenda will cover:

• Introduction to Isotopes: cycling through the Earth’s spheres
• • Carbon, Nitrogen, Strontium & Lead cycles
• Mine origin of metal artifacts (coins, weapons, jewelry) using Lead (Pb)

• Natural components of pigments, dyes and glass using Lead (Pb) and Strontium (Sr)
• Provenancing of flora and fauna textile sources using Strontium (Sr), Nitrogen ( 15N) and Carbon ( 13C)
• Identifying organic and inorganic materials within ceramics using Strontium (Sr), Lead (Pb) Nitrogen ( 15N) and Carbon ( 13C)
• Dating artifacts using Radiocarbon (14C)
• Submitting samples for analysis

Miami-based Beta Analytic is an ISO 17025-accredited radiocarbon dating and stable isotope laboratory. Subsidiary Isobar Science provides uranium-thorium dating, strontium analysis and geochemical fingerprinting services, among others. The company specializes in isotope ratios using wet chemistry and MC-ICP-MS.

Note: This webinar will occur on Eastern Time

Presenter

Maren Pauly, Scientific Associate at Beta Analytic and Isobar Science

Dr. Maren Pauly is a Scientific Associate at Beta Analytic, with experience in tree-ring and coral paleoclimatology, forest conservation and radiocarbon calibration. She undertook her PhD in Natural Sciences (Paleontology) at the Freie Universität Berlin.