SEM-EDS as investigation tool for archaeological artifacts - the case of nephrite adornments

摘要

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) proved to be an efficient tool for analyzing archaeological samples. We illustrate with some Neolithic adornments - pendants, presumed nephrite and jadeite items, to verify if geologists' visual examination is confirmed by EDS elemental composition. SEM-EDS must be complementary to X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) or Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) methods.