The laboratory facilities in the School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Reading include spaces for processing and sampling cores for soil/sediment characterisation, sedaDNA, palynology and geochemical analyses, the Microanalysis Preparation Unit (MPU) and microscopy. The MPU prepares and polishes thin sections of soils and sediments, ceramics, building materials, geological materials and bone. The MPU has a workshop space and a precision finishing space, and the equipment comprises:
- Resin impregnation systems
- Buehler Delta Cutrock
- Abrasimet 250
- Logitech GTS1
- Isomet
- BROT grinding machine
- Kemtech III precision lapping and polishing machine
- Buehler surface flattening wheel
Facilities in the Chemical Analytical Facility and Electron Microscopy Lab include FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and SEM.
