Vacuum chambers for use in resin impregnation of core samples

The University of Alabama, Office of Archeological Services (OAS), through funding provided by a private corporation, began a research project aimed at a relatively noninvasive investigation of Mound R at Moundville Archaeological Park, Moundville, Alabama (Site 1Tu500). Plans for the project began in June 1997 with field investigations set for the following fall. In cooperation with Energen Corporation of Alabama, funding was developed for a ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey of the mound, as well as the recovery of 60 core samples from 12 coring locations on the summit of Mound R. Several of the core samples were selected by OAS for resin impregnation and microanalysis. With this goal in mind, OAS found it necessary to construct a vacuum chamber large enough to incorporate the samples. Its construction may be beneficial to others requiring larger chambers for similar analysis. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.