# Geochemical analyses of archaeological specimens using advanced methods

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of Missouri-Columbia (MO) · $395,414

## Abstract

The Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) specializes in the provenance and compositional analysis of archaeological materials including ceramics, chert, obsidian, pigments, and metals. Such chemical analyses are essential pieces of evidence used by archaeologists to investigate the technology, economics, social and political organization and identity practices in ancient societies. Understanding past human behavior can inform modern efforts to address issues such as population movement, resource exploitation, social networks, and land-use patterns. The laboratory supports a wide variety of projects, trains students, graduate interns, researchers, and visiting scholars from US institutions every year, and contributes to knowledge diffusion through close scientific collaborations between MURR staff and outside researchers, student education, and professional publications. Broader impacts of the Archaeometry Laboratory at MURR include: (1) availability of affordable chemical and isotopic analyses for students and faculty from academic departments and non-profit research organizations in the US; (2) training of undergraduate and graduate students in the selection and use of laboratory methods of analysis; (3) advice in project design, statistical analysis, and interpretation of the chemical and isotopic data; and (4) public access by archaeologists, geologists, and scientists from many disciplines to the compositional database.

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## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2513354
- **Awardee organization:** University of Missouri-Columbia (MO)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** SZPJL5ZRCLF4
- **PI:** Brandi L MacDonald
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** ARCHAEOMETRY, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Nuclear Energy
- **Estimated total:** $395,414
- **Funds obligated:** $395,414
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2513354

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2513354, Geochemical analyses of archaeological specimens using advanced methods. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2513354. Licensed CC0.

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