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Sourcing flint from Sweden and Denmark: A pilot study employing non-destructive energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

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Author

Summary, in English

This article presents the results of a pilot study exploring the feasibility of using non-destructive energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry for chemical sourcing of flint from southern Sweden and eastern Denmark. EDXRF results showed that flint samples from Stevns Klint are all chemically alike on the basis of Si/Ca/Fe and Ca/Fe ratio data, yet they possess markedly different visual qualities and are of different geological ages. Samples from Södra Sallerup, Sweden and Stevns Klint, Denmark are chemically similar. The chalk slabs at Södra Sallerup are re-deposited by glacial ice; therefore the results of the chemical analysis may indicate that the slabs originate from the same formation as that which emerges at Stevns Klint. The samples from Klagshamn, Östra Torp and Smygehuk are visually alike and bear the same chemical signature; all three originate from the same geological formation of Danian age but are from different localities. Common Kristianstad Flint (Hanaskog) is distinctive in appearance and the results of the EDXRF instrumental analysis yielded a corresponding unique Ca/Fe chemical signature. In summary, the pilot study successfully revealed distinctions among flint from three geographical areas: eastern Denmark and southwestern Sweden (Stevns Klint, Møns Klint, Södra Sallerup), south and southwestern Sweden (Klagshamn, Östra Torp, Smygehuk) and southeastern Sweden (Hanaskog).

Department/s

Publishing year

2010

Language

English

Pages

15-25

Publication/Series

Journal of Nordic Archaeological Science

Volume

17

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Arkeologiska forskningslaboratoriet, Stockholms universitet

Topic

  • History and Archaeology

Keywords

  • flint
  • energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis
  • chemical sourcing
  • south Sweden
  • Denmark

Status

Published

Project

  • Sourcing flint and flint artefacts from Sweden and Denmark by means of Non-Destructive Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (EDXRF)

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1650-1519