Experimental and Archaeological Sciences Lab (EASL)

Identification of Neolithic Pigments from Masis Blur

This project aims to identify raw pigments excavated from the Neolithic settlement of Masis Blur (7000–6400 cal. BP)  in modern Armenia using techniques such as polarized light microscopy and pXRF. Once identified, the work will shift to determine how these pigments, and the spaces that they were found in, were used, and where the materials came from to provide information on craft specialization and long distance trade activities at Masis Blur. This project is a collaboration with Dr. Kristine Martirosyan-Olshansky, Director of the Armenian Lab at the Cotsen Institute and co-director of the Masis Blur Archaeological Project. 

Making Ancient Egyptian Faience

A series of replication experiments have begun on the manufacture of ancient Egyptian faience, a glazed siliceous ceramic material. The experiments will look at different faience recipes, forming methods,glazing techniques, and firing conditions used to produce these objects. The goal of the project is to come up with a method to produce it here in the lab and create a hands-on workshop on the technology of ancient faience. 

PXRF Analysis of Copper Alloy Artifacts from Lofkend 

This projects looks at the applicability of portable XRF spectrometry for the compositional analysis of copper alloy objects from the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age tumulus at Lofkend.  A methodology will be established for the quantitative analysis of very small samples taken from the artifacts. The results will be used to understand the types of alloys used to manufacture items of personal adornment (fibulae, earrings, spiral ornaments).  The results of this study will complement an earlier metallographic study conducted on this same group of samples. 

Analysis of Glass Production Debris from Petrie’s Excavations at Amarna

This project focuses on the examination and analysis of glass production debris found at Amarna, excavated by Petrie in the late 19th c. and currently housed at the Penn Museum. Different analytical techniques are being used to characterize the composition of the glass waste and identify the raw materials used in the production of vitreous materials at the site. The results will also help identify what stages of glass manufacture this archaeological evidence represents adding to the data collected so far on the Late Bronze Age glass industry in Egypt and the broader eastern Mediterranean region.  This project is funded in part by the American Research Center in Egypt's (ARCE) Antiquities Endowment Fund (AEF).