University of Reading, Archaeology, Replacement of High-Quality Chemical Analysis Facilities. Purchase of an MP-AES and sample preparation equipment

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 Dr Peter Bray and his colleagues are moving past outdated models of 'chemical provenance' to write rich, complex, biographical histories of people and their technology.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.