Analysis of carbon in archaeological glass and pottery by low energy deuteron activation technique

Carbon in archaeological glass and pottery is determined in a simple and elegant way by deuteron activation based on C-12(d,n)N-13 nuclear reaction. The method is rapid, non-destructive and carbon result is obtained along with Na, Mg, Al and Cl in a single irradiation. In the wood-fired Roman furnaces, carbon entered the glass melt probably through fumes and/or alkali plant-ash flux. Carbon is found in the range of 1300 to 4400 (mu g/g) in glass. The theoretical detection limit of 5 mu g/g is difficult to achieve because of higher carbon blank from the environment/atmosphere.