Search for the origin of iron manufacturing at Kansai area in Japan by PIXE analysis

A lot of iron slag was excavated from ancient remains in Kansai area of southwest Japan. These samples provide useful information for archaeologists about the source of material and the place of origin. The roots of iron manufacturing of ancient Japan is a riddle in archaeology. In this study, we analysed iron slag using PIXE technique. Preliminary results which open up the possibility of estimation of source materials from minor elements are reported.