Results of quantitative analysis of Celtic glass artefacts by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry measurements were applied on more than 200 Celtic glass artifacts from the middle and late periods of the La Tène Culture (≈250–50 bc) which were found in the area that is presently Austria. This analysis yielded approximately 14 000 concentration data on 25 elements which could give analytical results for major, minor, and trace elements. Both bulk-material and ornamentation were analyzed. Coloring and opacifying elements were found in accordance with literature. In particular the concentration data of Zr and Sr show strong clustering and in comparison with archaeological chronology of the analyzed artifacts an excellent agreement of present historic knowledge was found.