Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c29.s1.7

v1.c29.s1.7

Neutron activation analysis is another non-destructive technique for assaying trace elements which is based on the radio-activity of neutron-irradiated samples (and the standards for each element). The energies and the spectra of the emitted gamma rays are utilised to assay in terms of a set of chosen elements. Iyer *et al.* (1973) estimated Na, Mn, La, Sc and Cr in neutron-irradiated samples to characterise Indian potsherds obtained from different geographical localities. Bhoraskar *et al.* (1985) estimated the relative activities of Cu, Al, Mn, Mg and Si in the neutron-irradiated iron samples from five megalithic sites and the seventh century BC smelting site of Naikund, Maharashtra. Since the activity ratios were similar, they concluded that the Naikund smelter was the source of the artefacts found in the five different places.