Arqueometría

Arqueometría, known in English as archaeometry, is the application of quantitative scientific techniques to the study of archaeological material. It encompasses a broad range of analytical methods, from physical, chemical, and instrumental analyses to statistical, mathematical, and computational modeling. By employing tools such as X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, radiocarbon dating, and GIS-based spatial analysis, archaeometría provides objective data that can constrain dates, provenance, technology, and use of artifacts and contexts.

The discipline emerged in the early twentieth century, driven by the need to resolve questions that traditional descriptive methods could not answer. Initial forays included chemical characterization of pottery and sediment, while the later expansion into isotopic analysis, residue studies, and digital modeling has enabled the reconstruction of past diets, trade networks, and environmental conditions. Modern archaeometría also incorporates remote sensing and machine vision to analyze large datasets and map invisible archaeological features.

Through integration with conventional archaeology, archaeometría has transformed the interpretation of material culture. It provides new insights into the economic, social, and ecological aspects of past societies, while also refining chronologies and material taxonomies. As technologies advance and interdisciplinary collaboration grows, the field continues to expand, offering increasingly sophisticated methods to interrogate the archaeological record."