Microscopy Laboratory

The School of Archaeology and Ancient History (SAAH) is home to a dedicated suite of Carl Zeiss light microscopes, which can be used for undertaking research on archaeological materials, environmental samples, artefacts and for a wide variety of applications. The microscopes also have the capability for correlative microscopy and are equipped with digital cameras. 

The facility includes the following stereo and polarising light microscopes.

AxioScope 5 – Widefield, polarised microscope, petrography The AxioScope 5 is a petrographic microscope, which enables fully quantitative polarised light microscopy on geological and archaeological samples. The microscope is equipped with a 360o stage, allow birefringence and crystallography analysis. The AxioScope 5 also allows samples to be analysed under both reflected light bright field and transmitted light bright field.
Stemi 508 – Stereo microscope The Stemi 508 is a stereo microscope, which allows users to get an overview and examine large artefacts. Offers a true 3D view as each eyepiece gets a parallel image. The Stemi 508 is equipped with a separate light source, allowing samples to be lit from different angles. The Stemi 508 offers 8:1 zoom.
SteREO Discovery V8 Pol – Polarising petrography microscope The SteREO Discovery is a polarising stereo microscope which allows users to get an overview and examine large artefacts. The SteREO Discovery is equipped with a separate ‘cold light’ source and allows samples to be lit from different angles. The SteREO Discovery offers 8:1 zoom.
Axio Imager Vario A2 - Widefield, flexible microscope The Axio Imager Vario, allows users to analyse their samples under reflected light, brightfield and darkfield. Large samples and standard size samples can be analysed on this microscope. The Axio Imager is equipped with a motorised stage and can form part of a correlative workflow between Light Microscopy (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
AxioScan.Z1 – Slide scanner The AxioScan is a slides scanner optimised for geological/archaeological thin section slides. It offers the user a fast automated digitisation of petrographical sample slides. Utilising polarised light.
SteREO Discovery V20 The SteREO Discovery is a stereo microscope which allows users to get an overview and examine large artefacts. The SteREO Discovery offers 20:1 zoom.