Geoarchaeology

Helford Geoscience LLP have carried out a range of projects where our geological expertise has been used in archaeological studies. Our expertise in mineralogy has allowed us to characterise materials and identify the source area of a range of different types of artefacts. Areas of expertise include:

• Non-destructive electron imaging and analysis of artefacts with low vacuum scanning electron microscopy
• Mineralogical, textural and geochemical analysis of ceramics
• Analysis of slags, metallurgical materials, paint pigments etc
• Geological provenancing of natural materials utilising petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry and texture
• Electron microprobe geochemistry of man made materials and artefacts

Our expertise in geoarchaeology is supported by access to a wide range of analytical facilities including transmitted and reflected light microscopy, digital photo-micrograph facility, cold cathodo-luminescence, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, wavelength dispersive electron microprobe, low vacuum scanning electron microscopy with EDS and image analysis, and automated SEM-EDS mineral analysis using QEMSCAN® technology. Recent projects include investigating evidence for the early history of alluvial tin mining on Dartmoor; analysing the composition of Pharaoic eye makeups (kohls); provenancing Bronze age ceramics in the Aegean.

Recent scientific publications
Hardy, A.D., Walton, R.I., Vaishnav, R., Myers, K.A., Power, M.R. & Pirrie, D. 2006. Egyptian eye cosmetics (‘kohls’): past and present. In: Bradley, D. & Creagh, D. (eds) Physical techniques in the study of art, archaeology and cultural heritage. Elsevier, 173-203.

Thorndycraft, V.R., Pirrie, D. & Brown, A.G. 2004. Alluvial records of Medieval and Prehistoric tin mining on Dartmoor, southwest England. Geoarchaeology, 19, 219-236.

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