LA-ICP-MS analysis of Andean ceramics: Comparability and data correction for datasets acquired over almost two decades

The Elemental Analysis Facility (EAF) at the Field Museum have been generating compositional data for Andes ceramics since 2005. Although the experimental approaches have remained unchanged over the years, the instrumentation was replaced and we wanted to test the comparability of the results over time as several researchers were about to combined datasets acquired years apart. We use Ohio Red clay as a control sample with each batch of archaeological samples, monitoring this way, variations in our measurements. From the Ohio Red clay measured concentrations we calculated correction factors that we applied to the results obtained for the archeological samples. With this approach we are able to combine data obtained at any time during the operation of the EAF.

Automated summary

The Elemental Analysis Facility at the Field Museum has been producing compositional data for Andes ceramics since 2005. Although the experimental approaches have not changed, the instrumentation has been replaced and the researchers wanted to test the comparability of results obtained at different times. By using Ohio Red clay as a control sample and calculating correction factors from its measured concentrations, the researchers were able to combine data obtained at any time during the operation of the EAF.