Anthropology, Department of

 

Date of this Version

3-2016

Comments

A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Arts, Major: Anthropology, Under the Supervision of Professor LuAnn Wandsnider and Professor Matthew Douglass. Lincoln, Nebraska: March, 2016

Copyright (c) 2016 Zachary Day

Abstract

This master’s thesis is a compilation of two standalone papers, one being methodological and the other consisting of preliminary results, that are united by a common theme. These papers explore the experimentation and workflow in the design of and implementation of an X-Ray Diffraction methodology for describing the atomic structure of Central Plains tradition ceramic constituents. The devised methodology would implement new technologies available to X-Ray Diffraction equipment to create a workflow that is rapid and minimally destructive to the artifacts, but at the same time allow for extremely accurate data on the chemical composition of the clays present in the ceramics. Potentially, XRD could serve as a means for sourcing ceramics in the Central Plains tradition, which past sourcing studies have found challenging.

Advisors: LuAnn Wandsnider & Matthew Douglass

Included in

Anthropology Commons

Share

COinS