Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Nuclear Archaeology Program Archives

The Nuclear Archaeology Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) was one of the first-generation archaeometry labs in the world, operating between the 1960s and the early 1990s (Asaro and Adan-Bayewitz 2007). While in operation, the Berkeley lab produced compositional data on an estimated 10,000 archaeological samples, mostly by neutron activation and X-ray fluorescence. Although well known for analysis of pottery from the Mediterranean and the Middle East, LBNL also analyzed over 300 archaeological specimens from the Americas and over 800 specimens from Africa.

This database covers data from the initiation of NAA at LBNL in the late 1960s until the late 1980s. In 2006, an archive of the LBNL was transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) for digitization, curation, and public distribution. Materials transferred to MURR are in varying stages of completeness and include surplus powders, over 6000 pages of laboratory correspondence and hand-written descriptions of archaeological specimens, over 3000 photographs, approximately 1000 pages of irradiation records, five two-drawer file cabinets of COM microfiche, and 20 bound volumes of elemental abundances. The massive amount of compositional data in the archive, and the presence of detailed descriptive data provide the most thorough record in existence of the LBNL’s archaeometric research. In addition to archaeological and geochemical data, the LBNL archive contains a substantial amount of historical documentation including correspondence, records of transfer, and solicitation letters, making it an ideal primary source of data for the history of archaeometry and archaeology.

Since 2006, the MURR Archaeometry Laboratory has worked to digitize the records and information in the LBNL archive. These efforts have focused on stabilizing the LBNL archive and producing a digital copy suitable for future research. In 2011, Matthew T. Boulanger and Michael D. Glascock of the MURR laboratory were awarded a grant from Digital Antiquity to finalize work on the LBNL archives and make these data available through tDAR. That initial posting (v.1) contained records for 8253 specimens of pottery analyzed at LBNL, of which, chemical data for 5308 (64%) had been located. In July 2014, all of the data files were updated to reflect additional data that had been located and digitized in the intervening 3.5 years. The updated files (v.2) contain records for 8462 specimens, of which 7386 (87%) have accompanying chemical data. Chemical data for approximately 50 additional specimens exist in the offline database at MURR.

Although every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate to the original source documents, errors may yet exist. Any errors or inconsistencies may be brought to the attention of the MURR Archaeometry Laboratory.

Site Name Keywords
Alexandria • Tel Ashdod • Acuchimay • Ayacucho • Carmenca • Chakipampa • Churukana • Conchopata • Cuzco • Huari

Site Type Keywords
Domestic Structure or Architectural Complex • Settlements • Town / City • Hamlet / Village • Domestic Structures • Archaeological Feature • Kiln • Funerary and Burial Structures or Features • Cemetery • Tomb

Other Keywords
Neutron Activation Analysis • Compositional Analysis • Ceramic Composition • Neutron Activation • Source Analysis • Geochemistry • Geochemical Analysis • Ceramic Analysis • Ceramic Analyis • Terra Sigillata

Culture Keywords
Roman • Bronze Age • Islamic • Neolithic • Midianite • Greek • Persian • Iron Age • Medieval • Edomite

Investigation Types
Collections Research

Material Types
Ceramic

Temporal Keywords
Medieval • Roman • Bronze Age • Iron Age • Neolithic • Hellenistic • Modern • Chalcolithic • Late Horizon • Middle Horizon

Geographic Keywords
Asia (Continent) • Africa (Continent) • Europe (Continent) • Al Hasakah (State / Territory) • Gaziantep (State / Territory) • IL (ISO Country Code) • State of Israel (Country) • Syrian Arab Republic (Country) • West Bank (Country) • SY (ISO Country Code)

Resources Inside This Collection (Viewing 1-23 of 23)

There are 23 Datasets within this Collection [remove this filter]

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Armenia
  • Armenia Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 28 ceramic and clay specimens from Armenia analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Elemental abundance data could not...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from California
  • USA Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 21 ceramic and clay specimens from California analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Compositional data for these...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Cyprus
  • Cypriot Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Database (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 1885 ceramic and clay specimens from Cyprus, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory between the late 1960s and early 1990s. These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Egypt
  • Egyptian Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Database (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 391 ceramic and clay specimens from Egypt, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory between the late 1960s and early 1990s. These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from France
  • French Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 319 ceramic specimens from France, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Elemental abundance data could not be...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Georgia
  • Georgia Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 43 ceramic and clay specimens from Georgia, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Elemental abundance data could not...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Greece
  • Greek Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 1198 ceramic and clay specimens from Greece, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Compositional data for some...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Iran
  • Iranian Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 437 ceramic and clay specimens from Iran, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Elemental abundance data could not...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Iraq
  • Iraqi Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 239 ceramic and clay specimens from Iraq, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Elemental abundance data could not...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Israel and the Palestinian Territories
  • Israel and Palestinian Territories Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 2543 ceramic and clay specimens from Israel analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Compositional data for some sherds...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Italy
  • Italian Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 127 ceramic specimens from Italy, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Elemental abundance data could not be...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Jordan
  • Jordan Ceramics: Compostional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 32 ceramic and clay specimens from Jordan, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Elemental abundance data could not...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Lebanon
  • Lebanon Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 4 ceramic specimens from Lebanon, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. All descriptive and contextual data are...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Mexico
  • Mexico Ceramics and Clay: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Labratory.

    This spreadsheet contains elemental abundances, descriptions, and archaeological contexts for 88 ceramic and clay specimens from Mexico analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). Elemental abundances were determined using neutron activation analysis, and all other values are in parts per million (ppm). Zero (0) values indicate missing values. Data are transcribed directly from computer printouts in the LBNL archives and spot checked for accuracy. All descriptive and contextual...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Niger
  • Niger Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 60 ceramic specimens from Niger, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. All descriptive and contextual data are...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Nigeria
  • Nigeria Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 292 ceramic and clay specimens from Nigeria analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. All descriptive and contextual...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Oman
  • Oman Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 8 ceramic and clay specimens from Oman, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. All descriptive and contextual data...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Peru
  • Peru Ceramics: Chemical and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This spreadsheet contains elemental abundances, descriptions, and archaeological contexts for the ceramic specimens analyzed by LBNL. Elemental abundances were determined using neutron activation analysis. All values are in parts per million (ppm). Zero (0) values indicate missing values. All descriptive and contextual data are derived from LBNL paper records. Coordinates of archaeological sites have been added when possible.

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Saudi Arabia
  • Saudi Arabia Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 52 ceramic and clay specimens from Saudi Arabia, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Elemental abundance data...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Sudan
  • Sudan Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 62 ceramic and clay specimens from Sudan analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Elemental abundance data could not be...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Syria
  • Syrian Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 277 ceramic and clay specimens from Syria, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Elemental abundance data could not...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Turkey
  • Turkey Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 172 ceramic and clay specimens from Turkey, analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Elemental abundance data could not...

Neutron Activation Analysis of Ceramics from Uzbekistan
  • Uzbekistan Ceramics: Compositional and Descriptive Data (2014)
    DATASET Matthew Boulanger. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    This dataset contains compositional (elemental abundance) and descriptive data for a total of 9 ceramic and clay specimens from Uzbekistan analyzed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These data were generated by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at LBNL between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Data from the LBNL were transferred to the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri, where they were digitized for distribution through tDAR. Elemental abundance data for one...