Use of Discriminant Analysis of Data from the Fluorescence Spectrometry Analysis of Archaelogical Metal Artefacts

• Main Authors: Ján Tirpák, Anna Tirpáková, Jozef Zábojník
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Czech Statistical Office 2017-12-01
• Series: Statistika: Statistics and Economy Journal
• Subjects: Bronze ferrules; discriminant analysis; X-ray fluorescence spectrometry; Avar bronze ferrules
• Online Access: https://www.czso.cz/documents/10180/45606529/32019717q4033.pdf/b58d62a5-0dd3-4698-a730-c10045b312b9?version=1.0
• ISSN: 0322-788X; 1804-8765

This paper aims to present application of methods of mathematical statistics of performed on archaeological metal artefacts, in particular bronze ferrules dated to the period of Avar Khaganate (8th–9th century), which were found at burial site in the municipality of Obid, Slovakia. Based on the results of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, which was applied for determination of the proportional content of chemical elements in ar­chaeological metal findings, three types of bronze alloys were recognized that the ferrules were made of. In order to identify the ability of variables (chemical elements) to discriminate the bronze ferrule types and also in order to categorise the non-classified bronze ferrules in the three groups the method of canonical discri­minant analysis was employed.