Neutron activation analysis of metal artefacts from the Moche Site, north coast of Peru

Citation
C. Chapdelaine et al., Neutron activation analysis of metal artefacts from the Moche Site, north coast of Peru, ARCHAEOMETR, 43, 2001, pp. 373-391
Citations number
24
Categorie Soggetti
Archeology
Journal title
ARCHAEOMETRY
ISSN journal
0003813X → ACNP
Volume
43
Year of publication
2001
Part
3
Pages
373 - 391
Database
ISI
SICI code
0003-813X(200108)43:<373:NAAOMA>2.0.ZU;2-3
Abstract
Neutron activation analysis has been used to characterize 60 metal objects from the Moche site, of which four are associated with the Chimu Period, tw o with the Early Chimu Period and the others with various Moche IV contexts . Different types of utilitarian and non-utilitarian objects were analysed to identify the metals present, and to investigate their chemical compositi on and their eventual source. The results clearly indicate the distinction between Chimu and Moche artefacts and confirm the generalized opinion that arsenic bronze was popular after AD 900. They also indicate that gilding co pper objects with gold was already a common practice during the Moche era.