University of Reading, Archaeology, Replacement of High-Quality Chemical Analysis Facilities. Purchase of an MP-AES and sample preparation equipment
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Reading
Department Name: Archaeology
Abstract
Reading Archaeology has an established reputation for novel interdisciplinary research at the interface of scientific and social approaches. With our partners across the heritage sector, we are at the forefront of chemical techniques that bring new and deeper meaning to ancient metal, glass and ceramic objects. Dr Peter Bray and his colleagues are moving past outdated models of 'chemical provenance' to write rich, complex, biographical histories of people and their technology. This push to increase the significance of archaeological chemistry relies on the highest quality data, and creates a clear strategic need to upgrade and replace our existing facilities. We propose purchasing an MP-AES (Microwave Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectrometer, Agilent Technologies) to replace our ageing ICP-OES unit (Inductively coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometer). The MP-AES delivers an ideal blend of affordability, robustness, quality, speed, and capacity.
This upgraded facility will enable a range of innovative academic research projects, which rely upon high-quality chemical analysis. These include exploring previously unidentified chemical patterns within Roman metals that show intriguing links with glass; new appreciations of the crucial role of recycling to ancient economies; analysing the production sequence of some of the earliest Anglo-Saxon glass; and creating the first thorough survey of first millennium AD British copper-alloys. This work cannot be delivered using less precise techniques which are commonly seen in archaeology science departments, such as pXRF or SEM-EDS.
This new equipment will play a vital role within the UK research landscape. To produce new models for the characterisation of ancient technology and to ensure the enduring usefulness of hard-won expensive datasets, it is imperative that we return to large-scale, 'framework' analytical projects, based upon high-quality data, such as produced by MP-AES. Similarly, it is vital that we engage with under-researched collections, particularly that of commercial organisations, such as MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology). Reading has an excellent track record of working with commercial partners to study and publish 'grey' archaeological collections. This purchase will allow us to continue providing access to archaeological science and strengthening links between all areas of the UK heritage community.
An MP-AES will allow us to produce extremely high-quality chemical results quickly, affordably, and reliably on a wide range of materials, allowing us to engage with complex, interconnected archaeological questions. It will be a key tool in our partnership with the British Museum, and would offer their scientists and curators a new facility which complements their laboratories. We would be able to fully assess and characterise our extensive collections, particularly those of the Ure Museum and large-scale excavation archives of the Department of Archaeology.
The MP-AES would be a key upgrade of the University's analytical provision. On one end of the scale we have quick, low quality assessment machines such as the pXRF, and at the other end, very expensive, extremely precise techniques such as ICP-MS which lend themselves to small, bespoke, projects. By replacing our failing ICP-OES, MP-AES will sit between the two, offering large scale analysis at low unit cost, with high performance. This refreshed capacity would place Reading in a strong strategic position to lead ambitious interdisciplinary science and humanities projects focussed on the life history of our material culture, identifying recycling processes, the flow and exchange of materials, reconstructing ancient economies, and understanding ancient metal and glass workshop organisation. MP-AES can provide this capability with low ongoing maintenance, and would build upon Reading's proficiency and technical experience in plasma-based analysis.
This upgraded facility will enable a range of innovative academic research projects, which rely upon high-quality chemical analysis. These include exploring previously unidentified chemical patterns within Roman metals that show intriguing links with glass; new appreciations of the crucial role of recycling to ancient economies; analysing the production sequence of some of the earliest Anglo-Saxon glass; and creating the first thorough survey of first millennium AD British copper-alloys. This work cannot be delivered using less precise techniques which are commonly seen in archaeology science departments, such as pXRF or SEM-EDS.
This new equipment will play a vital role within the UK research landscape. To produce new models for the characterisation of ancient technology and to ensure the enduring usefulness of hard-won expensive datasets, it is imperative that we return to large-scale, 'framework' analytical projects, based upon high-quality data, such as produced by MP-AES. Similarly, it is vital that we engage with under-researched collections, particularly that of commercial organisations, such as MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology). Reading has an excellent track record of working with commercial partners to study and publish 'grey' archaeological collections. This purchase will allow us to continue providing access to archaeological science and strengthening links between all areas of the UK heritage community.
An MP-AES will allow us to produce extremely high-quality chemical results quickly, affordably, and reliably on a wide range of materials, allowing us to engage with complex, interconnected archaeological questions. It will be a key tool in our partnership with the British Museum, and would offer their scientists and curators a new facility which complements their laboratories. We would be able to fully assess and characterise our extensive collections, particularly those of the Ure Museum and large-scale excavation archives of the Department of Archaeology.
The MP-AES would be a key upgrade of the University's analytical provision. On one end of the scale we have quick, low quality assessment machines such as the pXRF, and at the other end, very expensive, extremely precise techniques such as ICP-MS which lend themselves to small, bespoke, projects. By replacing our failing ICP-OES, MP-AES will sit between the two, offering large scale analysis at low unit cost, with high performance. This refreshed capacity would place Reading in a strong strategic position to lead ambitious interdisciplinary science and humanities projects focussed on the life history of our material culture, identifying recycling processes, the flow and exchange of materials, reconstructing ancient economies, and understanding ancient metal and glass workshop organisation. MP-AES can provide this capability with low ongoing maintenance, and would build upon Reading's proficiency and technical experience in plasma-based analysis.
Publications
Dolfini A
(2023)
Editorial: Transdisciplinary approaches to metal procurement and exchange in archaeology
in Frontiers in Earth Science
Bray, P.J.
(2023)
The flow of metals, power and identity. Fishbourne Roman Palace and the REMADE project (Roman and Early Medieval Alloys Defined)
in Sussex Past and Present
Bray P
(2022)
Is a focus on 'recycling' useful? A wider look at metal mutability and the chemical character of copper alloys.
in Archaeometry
Boyle, G.
(2024)
Putting the archaeology back into the antiquarian: an investigation of copper alloy objects from Luristan, Iran in the Dr H.A. Fawcett Collection of Typology
in PAST: The Newsletter of the Prehistoric Society
Title | Project and laboratory logo design and wider branding completed |
Description | Project logo design completed with Ralph Pineda and Pix Videos Production Company |
Type Of Art | Artwork |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Used Project logo design on all project work, website, all presentation, and the REMADE project conference in Set 2023 |
URL | https://www.pix-videos.com/ |
Description | The purchase and installation of the Microwave Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectrometer has greatly expanded the scientific capacity of the University of Reading's Department of Archaeology. The capability of rapidly and accurately analysing samples from ancient materials, has directly led to new collaborations, opportunities to promote our work, and significant new funding awards. The PI has recently been awarded a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, which at its core, will rely on the daily use of this equipment. Therefore this award has directly led to several high-impact successes. |
Exploitation Route | Alongside the research team that will be hired as a result of funding leading from this award, the wider Department of Archaeology, University of Reading, will use and benefit from the equipment. This is expected to include new research students and staff. It will be employed on several new case studies and collaborations in the near future. |
Sectors | Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
Description | Our scientific research from the funded laboratory has begun to be mentioned in press releases, interviews, gallery talks, and museum signage. Through our collaborations with non-academic organisations in the heritage sector, we are aiming to translate archaeological science into more accessible material and transmit that as widely as possible. This includes public understanding of their past; local stories; enriching museum experiences; wider understanding past use of recycling and its impact on understanding current ecological and environmental issues; and others. |
First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
Sector | Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
Description | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC): - Ashmolean Museum AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership studentship (£ 60000; 2023 - 2026) |
Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2023 |
End | 09/2026 |
Description | British Museum AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership studentship |
Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2022 |
End | 08/2025 |
Description | Future Leaders Fellowship, Crucible Grant (GC005). Project Title: Playing with time in the climate crisis: gaming the future |
Amount | £15,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Crucible Grant CG005; Cost code: C16417_005 |
Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2024 |
End | 11/2024 |
Description | Prehistoric Society's Collections Study Award |
Amount | £2,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Prehistoric Society |
Sector | Learned Society |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2022 |
End | 12/2022 |
Description | UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship |
Amount | £1,500,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | MR/W008580/1 |
Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2022 |
End | 06/2029 |
Title | Application of pXRF (700 artefacts) and Microwave Plasma- Atomic Emission Spectrometry (MP-AES, 300 samples) to Beedon, Berkshire Roman Coinage |
Description | With senior technician Keith Nyakubaya and volunteer Keith Abbott, the REMADE team have completed non destructive pXRF survey of 700 Roman coins from Beedon, Berkshire. This was done with the support and consent of the landowner, and object owner (Lindsey Bedford). These data were then used to select coins for micro-sampling and analysis using Microwave Plasma- Atomic Emission Spectrometry. The high quality MP-AES data will create a framework for late 3rd Century Roman coin and their copies, and help develop further collaborations |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2024 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | The pXRF data was used to select coins for micro-sampling and analysis using Microwave Plasma- Atomic Emission Spectrometry. The high quality MP-AES data will create a framework for late 3rd Century Roman coin and their copies, and help develop further collaborations. Alongside being made available to project partners, it will also be used in several publications during the life of the project |
Title | Method Development data; Microwave Plasma- Atomic Emission Spectrometry. Analysis of industry certified standards |
Description | With senior Technician Keith Nyakaybaya, the REMADE team have analysed 300 certified metal samples using their Microwave Plasma- Atomic Emission Spectrometry facilities. This method development has ensured the facility is producing high quality results, and allows us to analyse archaeological materials with confidence. This work is available to project partners and will form the core of a new journal paper on the use of Microwave Plasma- Atomic Emission Spectrometry on archaeological metals. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2024 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This data has been shared with project partners to help develop further collaborations, and to act as a framework for archaeological applications of MP-AES |
Title | Non-destructive pXRF analysis of Roman Coins, Cunetio Hoard, British Museum |
Description | With the collaboration of the British Museum, Department of Coins and Medals, Peter Bray and team conducted a non destructive analytical survey of 1500 coins from the Roman Cunetio Hoard, (findspot Mildenhall, Hampshire; curated and stored at the British Museum, London). This data has been shared with project partners to help develop further collaborations, and to act as a framework for later Roman metallurgy. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2024 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This data has been shared with project partners to help develop further collaborations, and to act as a framework for later Roman metallurgy. It has lead to further work on local coins scatters in Berkshire, which would have been hard to interpret without the Cunetio and British Museum framework |
Description | British Museum supplying support and samples for project. |
Organisation | British Museum |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | British Museum has hosted a workshop and 2 meetings. Provided 30 samples from their Roman galleries. Their coin room has provided 15 days of access for consulting and 1500 coins for pXRF. British Museum colleague (Eleanor Grey) sat on the appointment panel for Tasha Fullbrook PhD. |
Collaborator Contribution | British Museum has hosted a workshop and 2 meetings. Provided 30 samples from their Roman galleries. Their coin room has provided 15 days of access for consulting and 1500 coins for pXRF. British Museum colleague (Eleanor Grey) sat on the appointment panel for Tasha Fullbrook PhD. |
Impact | British Museum has hosted a workshop and 2 meetings. Provided 30 samples from their Roman galleries. Their coin room has provided 15 days of access for consulting and 1500 coins for pXRF. British Museum colleague (Eleanor Grey) sat on the appointment panel for Tasha Fullbrook PhD. |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Colchester Museum supplying support and samples for project. |
Organisation | Colchester + Ipswich Museums |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Provided access for a day to their samples. Published an article based on the REMADE project. |
Collaborator Contribution | Provided access for a day to their samples. Published an article based on the REMADE project. |
Impact | Provided access for a day to their samples. Published an article based on the REMADE project. |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Development of MP-AES training and protocols |
Organisation | University of Liverpool |
Department | Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I visited the MP-AES laboratory in the archaeology department, University of Liverpool on several occasions. We discussed machine training, analysis protocols, current collaborations and future applications. I took archaeological samples to be analysed, which I took at the British Museum with Richard Hobbs. |
Collaborator Contribution | My partners at Liverpool provided training, expertise, lab support and data interpretation services, as part of our ongoing collaboration. |
Impact | Further collaboration on the use of MP-AES Agreement of Liverpool to support Peter Brays UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship work Agreement to co-author papers on 1) archaeological results, 2) analysis protocol |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Dr P Walton attended the Reconnecting Roman Britain conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Dr P Walton attended the Reconnecting Roman Britain conference on 11/11/22. Networrking event discussing REMADE with colleagues working Roman archaeology across the UK. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Dr P Walton lectured to the British Numismatic Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Dr P Walton lectured to the British Numismatic Society. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Dr Pete Bray and Dr P Walton conduct British Museum workshop to discuss the REMADE project. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Dr Pete Bray and Dr P Walton conducted a British Museum workshop to discuss the REMADE project and how the British Museum could assist with their artifacts and knowledge. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Dr Pete Bray and Dr P Walton conduct British Museum workshop to discuss the REMADE project. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Dr Pete Bray and Dr P Walton conducted a British Museum workshop to discuss the REMADE project and how the British Museum could assist with their artifacts and knowledge. This was with international curators and key decision makers at the British Museum, and immediately led to collaboration on data collection and analysis of curated assemblages |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Dr Pete Bray and Dr P Walton conduct Scottish Museum workshop to discuss the REMADE project. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Dr Pete Bray and Dr P Walton conducted a Scottish Museum workshop to discuss the REMADE project and how the Scottish Museums could assist with their artifacts and knowledge. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Dr Pete Bray and Dr P Walton conduct internal workshop to discuss the REMADE project. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Dr Pete Bray and Dr P Walton conducted an internal workshop on the 7th and 10th October 2022 at Reading University to discuss the REMADE project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Dr Pete Bray and Dr P Walton hold an internal seminar to discuss the REMADE project. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Dr Pete Bray and Dr P Walton hold an internal seminar on 27th October 2022 to discuss the REMADE project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Dr Peter Bray attended an international Conference at Bonn, Germany, where he discussed the REMADE project with attendees. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Dr Peter Bray attended an international Conference at Bonn, Germany, where he discussed the REMADE project with attendees. This has led to several further discussions, invitations to present work, and collaboration discussions |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Dr Philippa Walton completing a lecture on 'Rethinking (my) research on Roman Britain: the contribution of the Portable Antiquities Scheme' to the annual Portable Antiquities Scheme as a key note speaker |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Dr Philippa Walton completing a lecture on 'Rethinking (my) research on Roman Britain: the contribution of the Portable Antiquities Scheme' to the Portable Antiquities scheme national conference. Audience members are key policy makers, regional archaeological experts, and finds recorders. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Dr Philippa Walton mentioned REMADE on the Time Team interview |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Dr Philippa Walton mentioned REMADE during an interview on the "Time Team" programme, reaching a wide media audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Dr Philippa Walton presenting a keynote presentation at the PAS Conference 2023. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Dr Philippa Walton presenting a keynote presentation at the Portable Antiquities Scheme Conference 2023: "The contribution of detector finds to archaeology held at the Yorkshire Museum, York". Audience members were key members of the national archaeology community. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Keith Nyakubaya presented at University of Surrey, on " Agilent Technologies using MP-AES in Roman and Early Medieval Alloys analysis". |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Keith Nyakubaya presented at University of Surrey, on " Agilent Technologies using MP-AES in Roman and Early Medieval Alloys analysis". |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Peter Bray Presentation at 7th Symposium on Archaeomaterials Studies Programme, USTB, Beijing |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Peter Bray presented his work on the pXRF analysis of Roman coinage to an international audience taking part in the 7th Symposium on Archaeomaterials Studies. This was hosted by USTB, Beijing, China. He also participated in panel discussions relating to the scientific analysis of heritage material. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://en.ustb.edu.cn/News/UniversityNews/cce38567f12c42cd9b7b051d00355e78.htm |
Description | Peter Bray presented a paper at a conference in honour of the retirement of Prof. Mark Pollard |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Peter Bray presented a paper at a conference in honour of the retirement of Prof. Mark Pollard, this lead to further discussions on his FLF research and follow up meetings. It reached an international audience thanks to the hybrid presentation format. There is a publication planned. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Peter Bray presented at the Society for Museum Archaeology's Annual General Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Peter Bray presented a lecture on his FLF project to industry professionals and practitioners in the heritage sector. These were the Board of the Society for Museum Archaeology and invited guests. He took part in discussions related to heritage science and made plans with attendees to follow up with further talks. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | REMADE Conference (FLF project annual conference), Dr Peter Bray and Dr Philippa Walton organising and presenting. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | REMADE (Roman and early Medieval Alloys defined Conference), organised by the FLF team, with Dr Peter Bray and Dr Philippa Walton presenting. This was followed by a second day of detailed project discussions with partner organisations. The meeting was hybrid, with not in-person and online attendance. There was a great deal of positive debate and requests for further information, and offers of further collaboration and work that the project has now acted on. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Visit and discussions at Fishbourne Roman Palace, Peter Bray (REMADE) and ROb Symmonds. Around: "The flow of metals, power and identity." |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Dr Peter Bray wrote an article in Sussex Past magazine 'The flow of metals, power and identity, following a site visit and detailed discussion with Rob Symmonds, Director, Fishbourne Roman Palace |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |