Einsatz der pXRF-Analytik zur petrographischen Klassierung eines umfassenden Fundinventars an Gesteinsartefakten

Das Beispiel der neolithischfrühbronzezeitlichen Seeufersiedlung Cham-Bachgraben (Kt. Zug / CH)

Abstract

Archaeological rock artefacts are often very fine-grained and an unequivocal visual classification may thus be difficult, even for geologists. Geoscientific analytical methods would allow an unambiguous classification; however, they are not free of destruction. In a pilot study, portable X-ray fluorescence analytics (pXRF) was applied, in addition to standard optical examination, to study a larger lithic find inventory of the Neolithic to early Bronze Age settlement of Cham-Bachgraben. The aim of the study was a correct petrographic classification of the finds. The study demonstrates that non-destructive pXRF analytics allows a far more reliable classification than optical methods alone. Otherwise hardly distinguishable rock types like jadeitite, nephrite, serpentinite and (meta)mafica can be discriminated with confidence. The method is, however, not yet fully exploited.