Infrared reflection spectrometry analysis as a non-destructive method of characterizing minerals and stone materials in geoarchaeological and archaeometric applications

Infrared reflection spectrometry analysis as a non-destructive method of characterizing minerals and stone materials in geoarchaeological and archaeometric applications

Geoarchaeology 2009, 24, 619-637
Mikhail Ostrooumov

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to show the benefits and applications of using mid and far infrared reflection spectrometry (IRS) in the analysis of archaeological materials. Infrared spectral databases do not yet exist for rocks and principal minerals. In support of IRS techniques, a catalogue and new spectral database have been created with over 500 infrared reflection spectra in mid and far ranges from more than 250 different archaeological minerals and stone materials. The reflection spectrum serves as a fingerprint of all these materials. This new, non-destructive method is useful for spectrometric identification and crystal chemical characterization of many rocks and minerals commonly found in archaeological contexts. Three brief examples of IRS analysis of archaeological materials are presented as test cases. It is suggested that IRS could and should become a routine approach in geoarchaeology and archaeometry for identification and provenance studies.