Preliminary geochemical analysis of asbestos minerals from geological and archaeological contexts in Finnmark, north Norway Evaluating the potential for sourcing tempers in asbestos ceramics

Abstract

This is a preliminary study of the potential for sourcing asbestos minerals used as temper in ceramics from Early Metal Age sites in Finnmark, northern Norway. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS/EDX) is used to analyze samples from geological sources and archaeological sites. Although tempers were highly portable, the results of the analysis mostly indicate local procurement, however non-local sources are possible in some cases.