Evaluating the applicability of portable-XRF for the characterization of Hokkaido Obsidian sources: a comparison with INAA, ICP-MS and EPMA
Résumé
As a result of the limited application of
portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) in archaeological
research in Japan it is necessary to compare this technique
to proven, laboratory-based, analytical techniques. In this
study instrumental neutron activation analysis, inductivelycoupled
plasma mass spectrometry, and electron probe
microanalysis are used to validate pXRF and determine the
overall suitability of this technique for archaeological
obsidian provenance studies in Hokkaido, northern Japan.
Furthermore, the results of this study are compared to
previously published data to assess reproducibility and
compatibility. This study demonstrates the reliability of
pXRF for the rapid characterization of Hokkaido obsidian
while contributing to the ongoing evaluation of the applicability
of ‘‘off-the-shelf’’ pXRF to obsidian provenance
research in archaeology.