Analysis of large and non-standard geometry samples of ancient potteries by internal monostandard neutron activation analysis using in situ detection efficiency

• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-010-0789-9
• Publication Date: 2010-08-18T15:58:00Z
• Authors: K. B. Dasari; R. Acharya; K. K. Swain; N. Lakshmana Das; A. V. R. Reddy
• Keywords: 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences

The k 0-based internal monostandard neutron activation analysis (IM-NAA) method was used for the analysis of 30 large and non-standard geometry ancient pottery samples obtained from Buddhist sites of Andhra Pradesh, India. One freshly finished pottery and a sun-drenched pottery were also analyzed for comparison. Samples were irradiated in thermal column facility of Apsara reactor and also in graphite reflector position of critical facility of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. Radioactive assay was carried out using a 40% relative efficiency HPGe detector coupled to MCA. Concentration ratios of 15 elements with respect to Sc were determined. The La/Ce values as well as statistical cluster analysis utilizing concentration ratios of elements were used for grouping/provenance of the potteries.