Portable X-ray Fluorescence Analysis in Stone Age Archaeology: Limitations and Possibilities

Portable X-ray fluorescence analysis (pXRF) in Stone Age archaeology is now becoming a critical tool for studying the chemical composition of hard rock and ceramic artifacts, and is expanding opportunities in the field of research into raw materials strategies and the mobility of hunter-gatherers. Its main advantages include high speed of measurements and data processing, as well as the non-destructive nature of the method. Modern portable analyzers can already compete with stationary devices in terms of their characteristics, accuracy and reproducibility of measurements, but they have some limitations that must be taken into account. The accuracy of the obtained data depends on the degree of influence of matrix effects, the thickness of the sample and the nature of its surface; problems may be observed with measuring the concentration of some elements; however, despite the existing problems, pXRF, with strict adherence to the methodology, can give a high-quality result.