Building on the momentum Dr. Jerry Rose began several decades ago, Dr. Stoner recently developed analytical capabilities to characterize the composition of archaeological materials.  The Stoner Archaeology Group (SAG) features a fully functional thin section petrography lab specifically set up for the analysis of ancient pottery. Thin sections are slices of any material (ceramics, rocks, soils, shell) that are so thin they transmit light. The optical characteristics of light as it passes through thin sections allow the analyst to determine the mineral composition of the material as well as provide clues to determine how and where an artifact was made.

Dr. Stoner mostly examines ceramics.  Analysis of thin sections with a petrographic, cross-polarizing, microscope can reveal the materials that pottery is made of, the firing temperature, behavioral decisions potters made during the production process, and the geographic location of production.  Connecting location of production to where the pottery was found in the archaeological record can reveal exchange relationships.

Recently, SAG acquired a Olympus Vanta M portable XRF to provide quick bulk chemical analyses of specimens. 

Please use the contact form below to inquire about thin sections.  Note that this lab does not provide commercial services, but research collaborations will be considered.

Equipment List 

• Buehler Petrothin – Thin Section Machine
• Buehler Isomet 1000 – Precision Cutting
• Buehler Grinder/Polishers (x3) – Old but in perfect working order
• Lapidary saw with with diamond blades for cutting hand samples
• Vacuum chamber for epoxy impregnation
• Epothin epoxy
• Dell computers
• Assorted grinding papers and grits
• Nikon Eclipse Ci-POL petrographic microscope
• Dinolite Digital Microscopes for quick analysis
• Olympus Vanta M Series pXRF
• Docking station for the Olympus Vanta
• Dell laptop for operation of Olympus Vanta
• Agate Mortar & Pestle sets (x4)
• Pellet pres
• Programmable furnace
• Drying oven
• TopCon total station