The Applicability of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS): A Case Study of Sourcing Ceramics in the Northern Mimbres Area

Summary

The use of Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) has been the primary technique for ceramic sourcing studies within archaeology for the last several decades. Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is an atomic emission spectroscopy technique that provides archaeologists with a time and cost effective alternative to NAA. LIBS has been used by the author on a large sample of corrugated sherds originating from two Classic Mimbres sites within the Gila National Forest of New Mexico in an attempt to explain the presence of a high volume of distinctively Non-Mimbres corrugated wares within the region. More precisely, the author will attempt to use LIBS to test if the significant presence of nonlocal corrugated wares are indicative of high levels of cultural interaction or trade with other cultural groups or if their presence is the result of the adoption or copying of technological and stylistic techniques by local producers. The applicability of LIBS for ceramic sourcing studies will be demonstrated by the results of the author's research.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 17067