RESEARCH METHOD
pXRF & elemental geochemistry
Elemental composition of soils and sediments across profiles and space.
01
What the method shows
Elemental composition of soils and sediments and its spatial or stratigraphic variation.
How we use it in HEL
For rapid profiles, grids and unit comparison when measurement is standardised and interpretation is context-led.
02
How the method works
The instrument irradiates a sample with X-rays. Atoms respond by emitting characteristic fluorescence; photon energy identifies elements, while signal intensity reflects their relative abundance and, after suitable calibration, can support quantitative estimates.
In archaeological soils the strongest use is reproducible comparison between layers, profiles and sampling grids. We therefore keep measurement conditions consistent, control moisture, grain size and surface preparation, and interpret elemental variation against stratigraphy.
A high value for one element is not direct evidence of one activity. Interpretation is stronger when element suites, spatial patterning and independent proxies converge.
stratigraphy, micromorphology, grain size, magnetic susceptibility, GIS and multivariate statistics.
03
In practice
- Input / materialsoil, sediment or prepared powder
- Scale / resolutionmm–cm measurement spot; cm–m sampling grids
- Sampling / preparationstandardised surface; moisture control; repeated measurements where needed
- Typical outputelement profiles, maps and tables ready for multivariate analysis
04
Limits and control
Matrix effects, moisture, grain size and calibration affect response; an element alone is not direct evidence of a specific activity.
Tel Burna, Mikulčice, Wenceslas Square, Ravat and Třebokov.
05
References and HEL studies
Selected studies underpinning the method descriptions and examples used by Human Earth Lab.