New Technology Aids Archeologists

New technology gives on-site assessments in archaeology, is a EurekAlert article (public release 11/17/10) telling of a process capable of determining the origin of crystals i.e. whether they were formed by humans or by natural processes. The answer can be important in making inferences about ancient archeological sites but up to this point testing methods could take months to provide the needed information.

The device, connected with this discovery process, is easily transported and utilizes infrared light to gather spectral fingerprint information. The infrared spectroscopy exploits the fact that light is absorbed differently by different molecules. The differences account for distinct spectral peaks, or molecular fingerprints. Naturally formed calcite crystals are generally more tightly organized than those formed by humans.

The new process was a collaborative effort by physicists, materials scientists and archeologists. Testing was performed at an ancient site at Tel Safit in Israel, said to be near the location where David slew Goliath.