Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
The approach utilized for the scanning electron microscope is one that combines the enhanced imaging capacities of SEM in the
investigation of the microstructure of objects with the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the element composition of
those structures by electron-dispersed spectrometry (EDS). The Hitachi S-4700-2 FESEM at the EMC combines high resolution SEM
with EDS and is the preferred instrument for MAE. An environmental SEM (ESEM) is also available as needed, and can be operated
without a vacuum to accommodate the wet and dirty samples that often confront archaeologists. To date our SEM-EDS analysis has
centered on ancient Eurasian gold work, but in 2006-2007 will be utilized with ceramics to distinguish wheel thrown pots from
those turned by hand, relative firing temperatures based on vitrification, and patterns of interaction and exchange.
Initially, pyrotechnology will be one of the primary means of interrogating links between ceramic and metal technologies. The
element composition and structure of metal grains, grain boundaries, and ceramic clay domains will be used to estimate firing
and cooling conditions by comparing the results with phase diagrams.Return to MAE Home