Raman microspectroscopy applied to flint provenance at the chalcolithic settlement of Zambujal (Torres Vedras, Portugal)

The mineralogical fingerprint of both archaeological and geological flint, measuring by Raman microspectroscopy the alpha-quartz, and the minor elements was studied. Quartz crystallinity index, by XRD, was calculated in geological samples. An estimation of the degree of crystallinity through Raman analysis could be used to infer quartz crystallinity in archaeological materials. The evaluation of moganite content allowed a better differentiation among Cenomanian flints from different places. It was possible to confirm the correlation between archaeological microfacies M1-TV with the Torres Vedras Cenomanian flint and warn that the M2 flint preliminary associated to Lisboa region could be from another source area.

Automated summary

In this study, the mineralogical characteristics of both archaeological and geological flint were investigated using Raman microspectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The degree of quartz crystallinity in archaeological materials could be inferred by evaluating its crystallinity through Raman analysis. The evaluation of moganite content allowed for better differentiation among Cenomanian flints from different locations.