Test & measurement
the unit’s fully-integrated head around a sample is invaluable. It means that just by tilting the head, it’s possible to create multiple views of the same sample.” In a second project involving the University of Liverpool’s Archaeology Department, the
VHX-7000 was used to carry out laboratory- based archaeobotanical analysis of delicate and highly valuable charred plant macrofossils. Some 966 non-wood items and 440 wood charcoals were retrieved from excavations at the Palegawra cave, a Zarzian
occupation site in north-eastern Iraq. This culture dates from the late
Palaeolithic and Mesolithic eras and it has been possible to discover a great deal of new information about it by studying well- preserved botanical and faunal remains. This research was carried out by the Eastern Fertile Crescent (EFEC) project, a collaboration between the University of Liverpool and the Sulaymaniyah Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage. What makes the EFEC project stand out
Artifacts courtesy of University of Aberdeen Museums
from any similar projects is that the team at the university understood early on that the traditional method of using a scanning electron microscope had significant limitations, as Thomas had found out in her work. The team realised that relying on this type of equipment could reduce the effectiveness of sample analysis and the quality of data. Another key reason the team preferred the
Keyence microscope was that the wood charcoal specimens would be better protected, and the non-wood charred macrofossils could be retained as completely as possible for future analysis. Wherever possible, all analysis was carried out on a non-destructive basis and the Keyence VHX- 7000 helped to achieve this. Many wood charcoal specimens collected
from the caves were photographed using the VHX-7000 at magnifications of between 100x and 1,000x. Thanks to the quality of images obtained, botanical identifications were made by comparing the samples with published works and specimens held in Liverpool’s own wood charcoal reference collection. Archaeologists have found that the VHX-
Artifacts courtesy of University of Aberdeen Museums
7000 can help to identify subtle contours and uneven surfaces or stains that would otherwise be impossible to see, thanks to Optical Shadow Effect Mode delivering high- definition capture.
Ease of use is another key feature, with the
Keyence microscope offering a fully automated system. By simply turning a dial, magnification can be moved from 20x to 6,000x and there is no need to replace any lenses. Keyence is delighted that the VHX-7000
Series Digital Microscope was able to play such a major role in these projects, and in improving archaeologists’ – and humanity’s – understanding of our ancient world.
Keyence
www.keyence.co.uk
The VHX-7000 is an invaluable tool to the Archaeology Department
Instrumentation Monthly June 2021
45
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