Examining Handheld XRF Inter-Instrument Variation: A Collaborative Project Using a Large Assemblage from the Great Basin

Summary

Collaborating with multiple XRF instruments enables larger than normal datasets to be analyzed in a short period. The portability of instruments is important to analysts working together in one location as groups of specimens can be analyzed simultaneously. However, certain protocols must be followed so there are no discrepancies among instruments. We present our project’s methodological controls, such as shared source library and calibration, and preliminary results. The study consists of over 6,000 obsidian and fine-grained volcanic artifacts from Paleoindian assemblages from western Utah’s Old River Bed delta. We demonstrate that inter-instrument variation is insignificant within our regional context when all analysts follow strict instrument controls.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 20932