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Neutron Activation Analysis of Metal Artefacts from the Moche Site, North Coast of Peru
Author(s) -
Chapdelaine C.,
Kennedy G.,
Castillo S. Uceda
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
archaeometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-4754
pISSN - 0003-813X
DOI - 10.1111/1475-4754.00022
Subject(s) - neutron activation analysis , period (music) , bronze , archaeology , neutron activation , art , geography , chemistry , neutron , radiochemistry , physics , nuclear physics , aesthetics
Neutron activation analysis has been used to characterize 60 metal objects from the Moche site, of which four are associated with the Chimú Period, two with the Early Chimú Period and the others with various Moche IV contexts. Different types of utilitarian and non‐utilitarian objects were analysed to identify the metals present, and to investigate their chemical composition and their eventual source. The results clearly indicate the distinction between Chimú and Moche artefacts and confirm the generalized opinion that arsenic bronze was popular after ad 900. They also indicate that gilding copper objects with gold was already a common practice during the Moche era.