Neutron activation analysis of pottery for cultural heritage preservation in Algeria

Abstract This study investigates the elemental composition of archaeological pottery samples collected from various regions in Algeria using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), a highly sensitive nuclear technique. The samples were irradiated at the nuclear reactor of the Nuclear Research Center of Draria (CRND), and the resulting gamma-ray spectra were analysed to quantify both major and trace elements. The results revealed significant variations in elemental composition across regions, suggesting diverse sources of raw materials and providing insights into their origins and production techniques. These findings demonstrate the value of the nuclear technique of NAA in supporting cultural heritage conservation. This work contributes to the ongoing efforts in Algeria to preserve and promote archaeological heritage using advanced scientific methods.