Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art

Description

The Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art (RLAHA) is a key part of the School of Archaeology, with the laboratories and other facilities to support research involving the use of scientific methods within Archaeology. Founded in 1955, it played a key role in pioneering scientific approaches in interdisciplinary research, and today provides a unique environment for state-of-the-art research in this area.

The main laboratories and study areas for graduate students of Archaeological Science are based in the Dyson Perrins building, adjacent to the Departments of Earth Sciences and Geography, with which there are close ties and some shared facilities. The RLAHA includes the following main elements:

• The Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit (ORAU), including an MICADAS AMS for radiocarbon measurement, associated sample pre-treatment facilities, compound specific analysis facilities (HPLC, GC-MS, SFE/SFC).
• The Wellcome Trust Palaeogenomics and Bio-Archaeology Research Network (PalaoBARN) is based here, with its specially built ancient DNA facility in another building nearby.
• The Bioarchaeology laboratory, including access to chemical preparation areas and facilities for stable isotope analysis.
• Tephrochronology facilities including an electron microprobe and dedicated laboratory for the preparation of crypto-tephra samples.
• The Luminescence Laboratory, with facilities for Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating and for research into novel luminescence techniques.
• Materials analysis laboratories with the facilities to use many different techniques (SEM, light microscopy, XRF) for the study of a whole range of archaeological materials.

The aim of the RLAHA is to provide a suitable environment for anything from large research projects to student projects. Furthermore, the Lab is central to the teaching in Archaeological Science.

Offers funding

No, this infrastructure does not provide funding.

Founding year

1955

Contact details

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University affiliation(s)

University of Oxford
Oxford