Study of compositional and luminescence properties of calcite in lapis lazuli for provenance investigations of archaeological findings

Archaeological findings from Shahr-i Sokhta (Iran) and Tanis (Egypt) suggest that lapis lazuli used in these historical sites likely originated from Afghanistan. This conclusion is based on a study analyzing the compositional and luminescence properties of calcite within 42 reference rocks from four distinct mining regions: Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Siberia, and Myanmar. Using non-destructive Ion Beam Analysis techniques—μ-Particle Induced X-rays Emission (μ-PIXE) and μ-Ion Beam Induced Luminescence (μ-IBIL)—researchers identified unique markers such as high Mg and Mn content in Afghan calcite and high Sr content in Siberian calcite. Principal Component Analysis further distinguished between the provenances, leveraging variability in Mg, Mn, Sr, and Y elements. Notably, luminescence intensity ratios also varied among regions, aiding in provenance discrimination. The study's findings imply that Afghan lapis lazuli was the most probable source for the archaeological materials examined.

Magalini, M., Guidorzi, L., Re, A., Marabotto, M., Borghi, A., Gallo, P., Vidale, M., La Torre, L., Campostrini, M., Lemasson, Q., Pichon, L., Moignard, B., Pacheco, C., Couture, P., Palitsin, V., & Lo Giudice, A. (2025). Study of compositional and luminescence properties of calcite in lapis lazuli for provenance investigations of archaeological findings. The European Physical Journal Plus, 140(2). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06095-5