archeometriai

Archeometriai is an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of archaeology and the natural sciences, focused on applying analytical techniques to archaeological materials in order to address questions of age, origin, composition, manufacturing techniques, and preservation.

Origins and scope: The practice emerged in the mid-20th century as archaeologists and scientists collaborated to extract more precise information from artifacts and ecofacts. Today archeometriai encompasses a wide range of methods and subfields, including archaeometallurgy (the study of metal production and use), archaeobotany, archaeozoology, and organic-residue analysis.

Methods: A core feature is the use of dating methods (radiocarbon dating, luminescence dating, dendrochronology) to establish chronology. Provenance and composition are studied using spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques (X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, ICP-MS, SEM-EDS) as well as isotopic analyses (strontium, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen). Other techniques include microscopic examination, petrography, and organic residue analysis (GC-MS, LC-MS).

Applications: Archeometriai supports questions about trade networks, production technologies, cultural contacts, dietary practices, and conservation needs. It also aids authentication and replacement decisions in museums and collections.

Education and practice: Practitioners come from archaeology, geology, chemistry, physics, and materials science, typically working in dedicated laboratories or collaborative teams within universities, museums, and cultural institutions.

In Hungarian contexts, archeometriai laboratories contribute to research and heritage management by providing objective, instrument-based data to interpret past human behavior and material culture.