Large sample neutron activation analysis of irregular-shaped pottery artifacts

The large sample neutron activation analysis (LSNAA) method developed at NCSR “Demokritos” for large and irregular-shaped objects was applied for the analysis of a Peruvian pottery artifact with the shape of an animal. The correction factors required for neutron self-shielding and gamma-ray self-attenuation within the sample material were derived through Monte Carlo simulations using the MCNP code, based on an accurate model obtained by computerized tomography X-ray scanning. The LSNAA results were compared with those from conventional instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and a very good agreement was observed.