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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Locating Cryptotephra In Sediments Using Fluid Imaging Technology, Robert D'Anjou, Nicholas L. Balascio, Raymond S. Bradley
Locating Cryptotephra In Sediments Using Fluid Imaging Technology, Robert D'Anjou, Nicholas L. Balascio, Raymond S. Bradley
Raymond S Bradley
We report a new approach to locate and quantify cryptotephra in sedimentary archives using a continuously-imaging Flow Cytometer and Microscope (FlowCAM_). The FlowCAM rapidly photographs particles flowing in suspension past a microscope lens and performs semi-automated analysis of particle images. It has had primarily biological applications, although the potential sedimentological applications are numerous. Here we test the ability of this instrument to image irregularly shaped, vesicular glass shards and to screen sediment samples for the presence of cryptotephra. First, reference samples of basalt and rhyolite tephra (sieved <63>microns) were analyzed with the FlowCAM, demonstrating the ability of the instrument to …
Distal Tephra Found In A Viking Boathouse: The Potential For Tephrochronology In Reconstructing The Iron Age In Norway, Nicholas L. Balascio, Stephen Wickler, L E. Narmo, Raymond S. Bradley
Distal Tephra Found In A Viking Boathouse: The Potential For Tephrochronology In Reconstructing The Iron Age In Norway, Nicholas L. Balascio, Stephen Wickler, L E. Narmo, Raymond S. Bradley
Raymond S Bradley
Distal tephra deposits from Icelandic volcanic eruptions have been found in Norway and can be used to precisely date a variety of sedimentary environments. Tephrochronology has not yet been applied to archaeological investigations in Norway because tephra are generally not found as visible layers, but are present as very low concentrations of glass shards (i.e. cryptotephra). In this study, we present results from the analysis of cryptotephras found in an Iron Age boathouse in northern Norway. The boathouse was associated with the chieftain center at Borg on Vestvågøy in the Lofoten Islands. In 2003, a trench was excavated and the …