Submitting Samples to the Laboratory

Sample Submission

Submitting Samples to the Archaeometry Laboratory

[Obsidian core and artifacts] The Archaeometry Laboratory analyzes samples for an array of customers including academic research projects, cultural-resource management firms, non-profit educational and research groups, museums, and private individuals. Customers interested in submitting samples for NAA, XRF, or ICP-MS are strongly encouraged to contact the laboratory during the earliest stages of their planned project.

Customers will receive a written report describing our interpretation of the data. The report will include identification of geochemical groups, comparisons with other relevant data in the MURR databases, and will address any specific research questions provided by the customer. In the case of obsidian, the identification of sources for individual artifacts will be provided.

Download the Archaeometry Laboratory Sample Submission Form (*.PDF)

We offer two options for analysis: Standard and NSF-subsidized. Although the standard rates are higher, all samples processed at the standard rate are given first priority for completion. Details for both of these rate options are given below.

Please contact us prior to submitting any samples. You will need to provide us with the following information:

Sample Matrix (pottery, obsidian, chert, etc.)
Sample Provenience (where it is from)
Analytical Technique Desired
The Goal of this Project

Special instructions are necessary if you are submitting soil or clay samples, or if the only way you can obtain samples is by drilling them from an artifact. Note that drilling increases the potential for contamination, and that providing an artifact in solid form is preferrable in all instances.

We will also provide you with a range of sample-identification numbers (analytical IDs, or ANIDs) unique to your project. Once you have informed us of your intent to submit samples, please follow these instructions to properly package and submit your samples.

Standard Rates: Analysis by NAA

The Archaeometry Lab at MURR has developed routine INAA procedures by which archaeological samples such as pottery, basalt, obsidian and chert can be analyzed for archaeologists and powdered rock samples can be analyzed for geologists to determine trace and major element concentrations for about 27-33 elements per sample. Two main procedures are possible. The first procedure involves a short irradiation of five seconds followed by a 25-minute decay and 12-minute measurement. This short or abbreviated-NAA count usually determines the following elements: Al, Ba, Ca, Cl, Dy, K, Mn, Na, Ti and V depending upon the sample matrix. The second analytical procedure involves a 24-hour or 70-hour irradiation followed by two measurements. The first count for 30 minutes (our mid-count) takes place about seven or eight days after irradiation and is useful for determining the following elements: As, Ba, La, Lu, Na, Nd, Sm, U, and Yb. In certain geological samples, Au can be measured. The second count after long irradiation for about three hours takes place four weeks later and is used to determine the following long-lived elements: Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Ni, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Zn, and Zr.

Turn-around time is approximately four months depending upon the number of samples submitted. For unusual matrices or special requests, customized procedures may need to be developed at an additional cost. Please contact the laboratory to discuss your project and analytical needs before submitting samples. Purchase orders will normally accompany the submitted samples.

Table 1. Standard rates per sample for NAA. Pottery, basalt, and other powdered samples are measured using both short & long irradiation procedures to determine 32–33 elements. All chert samples and obsidian source samples are measured using both procedures to determine 25–30 elements. Obsidian artifacts are measured with our short-irradiation procedure to determine 5–6 elements. If additional information is needed to definitively source the artifact, a long-irradiation procedure will also be conducted. Please contact the lab directly to discuss analysis of any other archaeological or geological material by NAA.
Sample Matrix	1–100 Samples	101+ Samples	Recommended Minimum Project Size
Pottery, Basalt, & Other Powdered Samples	100$	90$	500$
Chert Artifacts & Source Samples	120$	100$	1000$
Obsidian Artifacts	50$	40$	No Minimum
Hematite, Ochre, and Similar Matrices	125$	100$	1000$

Standard Rates: Analysis by XRF

The Archaeometry Laboratory charges a flat rate of 40$/sample for XRF analysis of obsidian artifacts and source samples. Comparison to our source catalog and a full report of all data and our interpretations are included in this rate. Rates for analysis of other materials by XRF are dependent on the amount of sample preparation necessary.

Standard Rates: Analysis by ICP-MS

Analysis by ICP-MS may require substantial sample preparation and customized procedures. As such, the rate for analyses by ICP-MS are determined on a project-by-project basis. If you are interested in conducting a project using ICP-MS, please contact the laboratory directly to discuss pricing options.

NSF-Subsidy Program

The Archaeometry Laboratory has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) establishing a laboratory to which archaeologists can submit appropriate archaeological specimens for chemical characterization. Analytical techniques possible are neutron activation analysis (NAA), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), or inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). These techniques are frequently used for provenance research in archaeology. The individual techniques have their own advantages and disadvantages for application to specific matrices and archaeological problems. The objectives of the Archaeometry Lab's support program are to increase the availability of these analytical methods to archaeologists who would normally be unable to afford this assistance and to encourage increased collaboration between archaeologists and analytical chemists.

Applicants requesting participation in this program must be graduate students or faculty members from colleges, universities, and institutes in the USA. Investigators from foreign countries and from non-academic institutions in the USA are not eligible for the NSF-support program. However, researchers from non-academic institutions are still encouraged to submit mini-proposals describing their project(s) because other arrangements to reduce the costs of analyses may be possible. Additional information and instructions concerning the NSF-subsidy program can be found here…