1039588_Lehman_a

1. Non-destructive Elemental Analysis of Ancient Pottery and Beads as Models for Classics and Chemistry MajorsAnn H. Lehman, Trinity College, DMR 1039588 Intellectual Merit:An analytical scanning electron microscope (SEM) funded by NSF supports college undergraduate education, research and research training and enables interdisciplinary study of archeological materials by non-destructive means. Students coming from different perspectives experience real-life exposure to important scientific principles in an exciting field. Figure 1 shows a Classics major using the SEM to study ancient pottery dating from 1000 BC. The specimen came from his summer dig in Israel. Figure 2 shows a Chemistry major studying centuries-old copper beads. These came from local early American Indian dig sites. Both student research projects seek to determine the morphology and elemental composition of the artifacts in order to describe manufacturing processes and support conjecture regarding trade routes and cultural practices in use by ancient peoples. This modern SEM has advanced features (variable pressure imaging, x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy) that make possible the study of these rare and valuable specimens without destroying them. Fig. 1 A Classics major uses the SEM to study pottery from his summer dig experience in Israel to determine trade routes in cultures dating from 1000 BC.

2. Non-destructive Elemental Analysis of Ancient Pottery and Beads as Models for Classics and Chemistry MajorsAnn H. Lehman, Trinity College, DMR 1039588 Broader Impact:Research tools such as this NSF-funded SEM are used to teach and apply sophisticated analytical principles to the study of the cultural habits of ancient peoples. Such specimens traditionally are exposed to destructive preparative techniques prior to examination, but this modern tool enables direct study of the native materials, thus eliminating a major source of error in such studies and resulting in an appreciable reduction in time between collection and analysis. The SEM is used by college undergraduate research students across multiple disciplines, from Chemistry to the Classics. The same samples and principles are also used for Science Day workshops for K–12 students. Certain exercises are further targeted for application by local high school students and their teachers, thus bringing the very latest technology, simply presented, into the pre-college classroom. Fig. 2 A Chemistry major studies local native American Indian artifacts to understand fabrication methodologies used in the Colonial era.