Service: NIGeL - Lead isotope analysis
Platforms
Fixlab
Techniques
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (icp-ms)
Ion chromatography
Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (tims)
Organization
Netherlands
Service contact persons
The NIGeL lab at VU Amsterdam is a leading provider of high-precision lead isotope analysis for cultural heritage (pigments, artifacts, etc.) and archaeological (bone, dental enamel, metal, glass, etc) research.
The Netherlands state-of-the-art Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory (NIGeL) was established in 2021 with funding from an NWO-Large Investment Grant and matching support from the VU Faculty of Science. NIGeL offers high-precision lead isotope analysis using both Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS, Thermo Triton) and Multicollector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS, Thermo Neoma).
Our lead isotope services support research in cultural heritage science, particularly in studies of provenance, metallurgy, and ancient technologies. We analyze a wide variety of materials, including metals (e.g., copper alloys, silver, lead), pigments, ceramics, slag and dental enamel to trace raw material sources and technological practices.
NIGeL offers:
- High-precision lead isotope measurements for provenance studies
- Dedicated sample preparation facilities
- Clean laboratory facilities for ion exchange chromatography (currently under construction)
- Interpretive support for integrating lead isotope data with archaeological research questions involving trade networks, resource exploitation, and technological exchange
Fields of application
Archaeology
Archaeometallurgy
Conservation science (cultural heritage discipline)
Earth sciences
Forensic science
Geoarchaeology
Geochemistry
Heritage science (cultural heritage discipline)
Materials
Dental enamel (material)
Glass
Metal
Oil paint (paint)