README für p-XRF Data Processing and Interpretation of Hellenistic and Parthian Pottery from the 2023 and 2024 Excavations at Assur
Data Generated with the Niton XL3t No. 97390
Description
This R script contains data quality control, data processing and figures for the p-XRF data collected from pottery excavated in 2023 and 2024 in Assur in the scope of the project New Archaeological Exploration of Assur led by by Prof. Dr. Karen Radner (LMU Munich). The samples were selected in the field by Dr. Jana Richter, Dr. Andrea Squitieri (LMU Munich), Dr. Florian Janoscha Kreppner & Ellen Coster (University of Münster). p-XRF data was handled by Dr. Michaela Schauer (LMU Munich/VIAS), measurements undertaken by Marco Wolf (LMU Munich). Related petrographic analysis was performed by Dr. Silvia Amicone (University of Tübingen).
The data was collected using the Niton XL3t (No.97390), previously owned by LMU Munich’s Department of Cultural Studies and Archaeology and, since late 2023, hosted by LMU Munich’s Department of Geology. Three measurements were taken per sample on different areas of a fresh break, using the TestAllGeo mode with an 8 mm collimator and a measurement time of 300 seconds (60 seconds each for the main, low, and high filters, and 120 seconds for the light filter).
The dataset is part of the second Exploring Assur publication: Schauer, M., Amicone, S., 2025. Chemical and petrographical analysis of Hellenistic and Parthian pottery from Assur, 2023 and 2024, in: Radner, K., Squitieri, A. (Eds.), Assur 2024: Continuing the excavations in the New Town and other research across the site. Exploring Assur 2. PeWe-Verlag, Gladbeck 2025.

This dataset includes the R script, the raw and processed data used in the project as well as the figures produced.
Directory Structure
To ensure the R code runs without errors, the folder and file structure, including file names, must remain unchanged. Open the R project by double-clicking the project file, as all file paths in the script are defined relative to the project folder.
 Directory Contents
•	PXRF_ASSUR_POTTERY_2024.QMD: R-project file
•	Data/: Contains the processed datasets.
o	ASSUR_POTTERY_2024_ANALYTICALDATA.CSV: Compiled data calculated by the measurement mode.
o	ASSUR_POTTERY_2024_SD_INDIVMEAS & ASSUR_POTTERY_2024_SAMPLES.CSV: Results of the Standard Deviation check.
o	ASSUR_POTTERY_2024_CV_NUMCODE.CSV  & ASSUR_POTTERY_2024_COLCODE.CSV: Results of the coefficient of variation check.
o	ASSUR_POTTERY_2024_DATA_COEFCOR.CSV: Full dataset after coefficient correction.
o	ASSUR_POTTERY_2024_DATA_COEFCOR_MW.CSV: Mean values per sample.
o	ASSUR_POTTERY_2024_ARCHDATA.CSV: Archaeological information related to the samples.
o	ASSUR_POTTERY_2024_COMPLETE_MW.CSV: Combined file containing both measurement and archaeological data.
o	ASSUR_POTTERY_2024_COMPLETE_MW_ED.CSV: Adapted version for data visualization.
o	REF_VAL_MEAS_2709A_MAI2023_MUNICH & REF_VAL_MEAS_SDAR-M2_NOV2024_MUNICH.CSV: Measurement values of Standard 2709a and SdAR-M2 for reference value calculation
o	METRICS_REF_VAL_2709A_MAI2023_MUNICH & METRICS_SCC_REF_VAL_2709A_MAI2023_MUNICH and METRICS_REF_VAL_SDAR-M2_NOV2024_MUNICH.CSV & METRICS_SCC_REF_VAL_SDAR-M2_NOV2024_MUNICH.CSV: Metrics of the reference values
o	RELRD_2709A_MAI2023_MUNICH & RELRD_SDAR-M2_NOV2024_MUNICH.XLS: Results of the Relative Difference Calculations
o	TEST_RANGE_REF_VAL_2709A_MAI2023_MUNICH & TEST_RANGE_REF_VAL_SDAR-M2_NOV2024_MUNICH.CSV: Values of selected element for daily device testing
•	Figures/: Contains all figures generated as part of this dataset including the edited (_eds) files as printed in the publication
•	RawData/ Contains three subfolders:
o	DataAnalytical/: Analytical data generated in "TestAllGeo" mode (.xlsx), used in the R script and analysis.
o	NDT/: Generic format of Niton XL3t files (.NDT).
o	Spectra/: Raw spectral data in CSV format.
Also includes original files used for drift correction and coefficient adjustment:
	COEFCORIV_FACTORS.CSV
•	Scripts/: Contains the R Quarto script (PXRF_ASSUR_POTTERY_2024_R-SCRIPT.QMD) and the corresponding output (PXRF_ASSUR_POTTERY_2024_R-SCRIPT.HTML).
Instructions for Use
1.	Open the project: Double-click the R project file (PXRF_ASSUR_POTTERY_2024.QMD) to ensure all paths load correctly.
2.	Run the script: Use the Quarto script (PXRF_ASSUR_POTTERY_2024_R-SCRIPT.QMD) to perform the analyses. The results are documented in the HTML file (PXRF_ASSUR_POTTERY_2024_R-SCRIPT.HTML).
Contact
For questions or issues, please contact:
michaela.schauer@univie.ac.at
 © M. Schauer; April 2025