The use of mineral magnetic parameters to characterize archaeological ochres

S. D. Mooney, C. Geiss, M. A. Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The application of several magnetic parameters to ochre samples has found that they can be used to characterize samples from known ochre quarries. This technique also allows the sourcing of ochre found in archaeological contexts and provides an alternative to geochemical methods of provenancing ochres. Simple magnetic parameters (susceptibility and isothermal remanence) are effective in discriminating between ochre sourced from various quarries, however, more sophisticated parameters are required to ascribe unknown samples to specific sources.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)511-523
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Archaeological Science
Volume30
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Central Australia
  • Environmental magnetism
  • Ochre
  • Provenance

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