MASCA- Stuart Fleming Records

MASCA, or the Museum Applied Science Center for Archaeology, was established in 1961 by a grant from the National Science Foundation. MASCA was modeled after the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art in Oxford. From the time of its inception in 1961, MASCA, along with the Radiocarbon Laboratory, made a number of contributions to radiocarbon dating, including, but not limited to, breakthroughs in recalibration and dendrochronology. MASCA performed a number of other dating and materials analysis techniques including thermoluminescence, xeroradiography, Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) analysis of metals, analysis of faunal and plant remains and other projects either within the museum or remotely at archaeological sites. Additionally, a number of expeditions were sponsored by MASCA globally using scientific techniques to advance archaeological findings, including magnetometry reconnaissance and instrument surveys. Under the MASCA Research Papers, the MASCA Journal, and a number of bound volumes were produced MASCA. MASCA was disassembled in 2009.

Scope and Content Note

The MASCA – Stuart Fleming Records consist of the records pertaining to the activities of MASCA while under the direction of Stuart Fleming starting in 1978. A number of textual records, correspondence and data sheets are included as well as a number of photographs and other graphic materials such as x-rays and xeroradiographs. Future accessions are expected. The collection contains the following series 1) Exhibits/Outreach 2) Thermoluminescence 3) Metallurgy 4) Xeroradiography 5) Faunal Remains 6) Paleoethnobotany 7) Materials Analysis 8) Other Projects 9) Publications 10) Administration.

Exhibits/Outreach

This series pertains to the outreach portion of MASCA and its research projects, including photos and textual records documenting its involvement in the creation of museum exhibition materials and websites, as well as field related symposiums and conferences.

Thermoluminescence

The records in this series consist of data, photos and textual records pertaining to the thermoluminescence lab at MASCA, included materials pertaining to the Hasanlu and Dinkha sites, as well as other smaller projects both in conjunction with the Penn Museum and other institutions such as the British Museum.

Metallurgy

This series contains data, correspondence, photos and other textual records pertaining the materials analysis (mostly PIXE spectrometry) of metal objects both for museum sponsored expeditions at sites such as Nippur and Tepe Hissar as well as contracted or collaborative analysis with other institutions, such as the British Museum and Colonial Williamsburg.

Xeroradiography

This series contains original xeroradiographic images as well as the textual records pertaining to the xeroradiographic lab at MASCA and its projects.

Faunal Remains

This series contains data and textual records as well as photos and x-rays pertaining to the studies of faunal remains conducted by MASCA. Bone projects under the direction of Kathleen Ryan can be found in the MASCA - Kathleen Ryan Papers.

Paleoethnobotany

This series contains records pertaining to the study of plant materials conducted by MASCA.

Materials Analysis

This series contains records pertaining to materials analysis techniques conducted by MASCA that do not fall into the other major series of this collection.

Other Projects

This series contains data, correspondence, photos and other textual records pertaining to short term or minor projects conducted by MASCA, including information about field equipment used, overviews od research projects and field trips, as well as information pertaining to museum sites such as Tepe Gawra, Tell Safut, Gidion, Phrygian, Tell es-Sweyhat and Hajji Firuz, as well as projects contracted or in collaboration with outside organizations.

Publications

This series contains correspondence, manuscripts, photos, administrative and other textual records pertaining to the publication activities of MASCA, including the MASCA Journal, MASCA Research Papers, and several bound volumes published by the Penn Museum Press.

Administration

This series contains textual records pertaining to the administration of MASCA, including information pertaining to staff, volunteers and interns, as well as memos about the larger activities/function of MASCA, grant information and applications, and the purchasing and use of field equipment.

Publication Information: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives,

Finding Aid Author:

Use Restrictions:

Corporate Name(s)

• British Museum.
• MASCA research papers in science and archaeology .
• MASCA.

Form(s)/Genre(s)

• Faculty papers

Geographic Name(s)

• Egypt
• Gordion (Extinct city)
• Tepe Hisar (Iran)

Personal Name(s)

• Fleming, Stuart J., b. 1943
• Michael, Henry N. , PhD, 1913-2006
• Miller, Naomi Frances
• Pigott, Vincent C.
• Ralph, Elizabeth K., 1911-2000
• Ryan, Kathleen

Subject(s)

• Hasanlu excavation reports
• Physical anthropology
• Tang horses
• University of Pennsylvania MASCA