bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Premières analyses métallographiques des produits sidérurgiques trouvés sur le site médiéval de Castel-Minier (Aulus-les-Bains, 09)
Authors: Dillmann Philippe , Téreygeol Florian , Verna Catherine
Published: March 2016

Les découvertes récentes de deux ferriers contenant des produits et déchets de tous les stades de la chaîne opératoire sidérurgique sur le site médiéval de Castel-Minier, plus connu pour ses mines de plomb argentifère, apporte un éclairage nouveau et fondamental sur la métallurgie et la diffusion des procédés dans cette région des Pyrénées. Cet article présente les premiers résultats métallographiques obtenus sur le métal mis au jour lors des sondages de ces ferriers au cours des fouilles 2004. Ils permettent de montrer que, très probablement, la production de cette installation sidérurgique est au moins en partie de l’acier dont la teneur en carbone est proche de l’eutectoïde. De plus, la composition des inclusions, indiquant une forte teneur en manganèse confirme que le minerai utilisé pour l’obtention du métal provient de la vallée voisine de Vicdessos, avec laquelle des échanges commerciaux sont attestés pour cette période par les sources historiques. Ces résultats ouvrent la voie à de futures études sur la sidérurgie utilisant des minerais au manganèse, caractéristique de cette région. En effet, le rôle de cet élément dans la production d’acier est encore mal compris bien que des minerais manganésifères soient associés à ces types de production identifiés à l’époque médiévale entre autre dans les alpes italiennes et les Pyrénées.
Quand Melle enterrait ses métallurgistes
Authors: Thomas Nicolas
Published: March 2016

La découverte à Melle et à Niort (Deux-Sèvres, France) de nombreux creusets dans des sépultures posent de nombreuses questions sur la nature de la métallurgie pratiquée par les défunts. L’ensemble des artefacts est composé de deux groupes typomorphologiques parfaitement homogènes. De même, les terres utilisées semblent identiques et suggèrent un unique centre de production. Enfin, les traces d’utilisations observées sont d’une étonnante régularité sur des artefacts dispersés dans trois nécropoles sur une période située entre le xiie et le milieu du XIVe siècles. Un des deux groupes de creusets est très particulier : sur la panse a été appliqué une couche de terre argileuse, ou lut, qui a été complètement vitrifiée lors de l’utilisation. Sans être exceptionnelle, cette pratique demeure relativement peu courante. Elle peut être destinée à des métallurgies particulières. Si la tradition funéraire consistant à associer au corps des offrandes, tels que des pichets ou des vases chargés d’encens, est fréquente pour ces périodes, nous ne connaissons pas dans la région d’autre exemple de défunt inhumé avec des attributs de leur profession. Toutes ces caractéristiques font de ce mobilier un ensemble unique et singulier. Nous montrons les apports de l’analyse de ces artefacts à la caractérisation de l’activité dont ils sont issus. Si des hypothèses peuvent être formulées, il demeure toutefois des limites à cette étude qui sont liées radicalement à l’absence de contexte d’utilisation et d’élément de comparaison suffisamment pertinent.
Minéralogie des silicates de calcium présents dans des mortiers anciens à Tournai
Authors: Mertens Gilles , Elsen Jan , Laduron Dominique , Brulet Raymond
Published: March 2016

Cette étude est destinée à clarifier l’évolution au niveau de la composition et des techniques de fabrication des mortiers à chaux utilisés dans les structures archéologiques découvertes sous le niveau de sol actuel de la cathédrale de Tournai (Belgique) qui remonte au xiie siècle. La recherche s’inscrit dans un projet interdisciplinaire plus large qui vise à étudier la transition des villes et des territoires ruraux Romains à Post-Romain et leur transformation jusqu’au Moyen Âge (Brulet et Verslype, 2001). Les résultats présentés, concernent la minéralogie des mortiers et indiquent que celle-ci peut varier selon l’hydraulicité du liant, qui à son tour est mis en relation avec les conditions de cuisson du calcaire dans les fours à chaux anciens. Cette étude est donc particulièrement intéressante lorsqu’il s’agit de comprendre et de clarifier la connaissance empirique possible de l’interdépendance de la température de cuisson et de l’hydraulicité de la chaux utilisée à Tournai. Il est en effet possible que pour certaines applications ou durant certaines époques de l’histoire cette connaissance fût exploitée.
Mortiers de chaux dolomitique avec adjonction de kaolin cuit : l’expérience génoise
Authors: Mannoni Tiziano , Pesce Gianluca , Vecchiattini Rita
Published: March 2016

La recherche sur les matériaux utilisés à Gênes, de la fin du Moyen Âge aux premières décennies du xxe siècle, dans la réalisation des mortiers ou de revêtement d’œuvres murales, naît de surprenants résultats de certaines enquêtes archéologiques conduites par des membres de l’Institut d’Histoire de la Culture Matérielle (ISCuM) de cette même ville ligure, à partir de la deuxième moitié des années 1980. En effet, ces recherches ont mis en évidence comment l’utilisation intense de la chaux dolomitique et l’adjonction – si nécessaire – de kaolin cuit en qualité de liant hydraulique ont donné naissance à la construction d’une bonne partie de la ville portuaire avec des résultats parfois surprenants pour la qualité des produits finaux qui ont été obtenus. Le cas du port de Gênes, construit à la fin du Moyen Âge, est, dans ce sens, emblématique car les mortiers, après environ cinq siècles de leur réalisation et de permanence dans un environnement agressif, démontrent encore aujourd’hui faire preuve d’une mécanique de résistance élevée aux agents corrosifs chimiques et biologiques.Cette contribution entend mettre en évidence le niveau de la recherche menée sur ces matériaux par les chercheurs de l’ISCuM et de l’Université de Gênes; recherche qui est toujours en cours et qui se poursuit dans une direction fortement multidisciplinaire, selon un processus cognitif qui a conduit des chantiers archéologiques aux laboratoires de minéralogie et de pétrographie de la Faculté de Sciences naturelles, en passant par les laboratoires d’ingénierie des matériaux de l’Université de Gênes.
Targeting Ion Beam Analysis techniques for gold artefacts
Authors: Demortier Guy
Published: March 2016

The present study discusses the best experimental conditions for the quantitative analysis of gold jewellery artefacts by ion beam techniques (PIXE, RBS, PIGE and NRA). Special attention is given to the detection of enhancement or depletion below the surface, down to 10 microns, without any sampling or destruction. PIXE is certainly the most interesting technique for this purpose and the optimal geometrical arrangement of the experiment is described: orientation of the incident beam relative to sample surface, selection of the characteristic signals, use of reference material, choice of the detector and incident particle energy and type, computation of absorption and secondary fluorescence effects.
X-ray Diffraction method for determination of crystallite sizes of gold and silver items – New opportunities for archaeology and for protection against forgery
Authors: Yanakieva Denka , Tonkova Milena , Spiridonov Ernst , Vergilov Zlatil , Penkova Petia
Published: March 2016

This work presents the results of X-ray studies of the nanostructure of gold and silver items, using the obtained data for purposes of identification and comparison. The study covers gold and silver archaeological items, as well as gold and silver nuggets (both exposed and not to thermal and mechanical actions). The items were studied by means of XRD analysis and emphasis was placed on line-profile analysis, aimed at obtaining information about the microstructural properties of materials: size of coherently diffracting domains in crystals (crystallite size). Crystallite sizes, as a constant numerical feature of an item, can be used successfully for: ascertaining an item’s authenticity and thus providing protection against forging; studying issues relevant to the treatment of forgeable metals in the ancient ages, when man started using them; providing exact time and place correlations (included in complex researches of archaeological items and combined with other methods), etc.The present work is part of a detailed X-ray study of gold and silver, aimed at specifying the nanostructure characteristics of items: crystallite sizes, micro-strains at unit cell level, unit cell parameters. This work is based on crystallite size characteristics and offers the first examples demonstrating the potential of the method, while also suggesting possible future actions that would further evaluate this potential.
Bronze Age gold in Southern Georgia
Authors: Hauptmann Andreas , Klein Sabine
Published: March 2016

This study represents a joint pilot project between archaeological and natural sciences, aimed at exploring the technology and provenance of gold artefacts, exemplified for the case of Georgia. It is focussed on the prehistoric gold mine of Sakdrisi. The study included the investigation of both Bronze Age gold artefacts and native gold by chemical and lead isotope analyses using ICP-mass spectrometry. The analyses of the artefacts indicate that the gold which was used to manufacture the artefacts was alloyed with variable amounts of silver. Beside silver, the concentrations of platinum, osmium, and other trace elements in the gold are low. In addition to the analysis of the chemical composition, lead isotope analyses also provided insights into the provenance of the gold artefacts from the region Georgia-Anatolia-Armenia. No sophisticated treatment of the gold could be detected.
Minéralogie et signature isotopique du plomb des minerais auro-argentifères exploités durant l’époque romaine à Alburnus Maior (Rosia Montanà, Roumanie)
Authors: Tămaş Călin Gabriel , Baron Sandrine , Cauuet Béatrice
Published: March 2016

Alburnus Maior (Rosia Montanà, Roumanie), est un site minier important à l’époque romaine pour ses métaux précieux. Des études géologiques, gîtologiques et géochimiques ont été effectuées sur les corps de minerais exploités à l’époque romaine dans les chantiers miniers mis en évidence par l’archéologie minière. La démarche principale réside dans l’étude de minerais géo- et chrono- référencés par l’archéologie et la géologie pour identifier les sources des métaux précieux pendant l’antiquité romaine.Les études géologiques menées dans le massif de Cârnic, ont permis d’identifier quatre phases de minéralisation. Trois d’entre elles ont été exploitées par les Anciens. Chacune se traduit par un corpus d’associations minéralogiques en métaux précieux dont deux d’entre elles possèdent des minéraux rares à tellures et à germanium. Par ailleurs, les teneurs élémentaires des autres éléments chimiques étant très hétérogènes, l’isotopie du plomb (Pb) est l’outil idéal pour optimiser la caractérisation. Chaque phase de minéralisation possède sa propre signature en Pb. Malgré les différences isotopiques de Pb observées entre chacune d’elles, les signatures en Pb de Rosia Montanà (RM) constituent un champ isotopique très restreint. En comparaison avec d’autres districts miniers de Roumanie, le champ isotopique de RM est identifiable et affinera la filiation chimique à échelle régionale dans l’est de l’Europe.
Archaeometric research on the Early Neolithic pottery production in Liguria (Northern Italy): preliminary data from San Sebastiano di Perti (Savona)
Authors: Capelli Claudio , Starnini Elisabetta , Cabella Roberto , Piazza Michele
Published: March 2016

The Early Neolithic site of San Sebastiano di Perti is the only open-air site of the Impressed Ware Culture so far discovered in Liguria. It is located in the Finalese area, on a river terrace along the Pora Valley. One radiocarbon AMS date of 6760±45 BP (GrA-25715) was obtained from two caryopsis of Hordeum vulgare. The ceramic assemblage consists of 123 potsherds mainly decorated with impressions from Cardium shell and with implements; six representative samples have been submitted for thin-section analyses. The petrographic characteristics of the inclusions are consistent with those of the acid metavolcanites and metasediments of the Permo-Carboniferous basement and of the Miocenic limestones outcropping in the area. A local production and the use of raw materials of fluvial origin (from the Pora River) can be hypothesised. The San Sebastiano production differs in textural, compositional and technical features from other ceramic contexts of neighbouring cave sites of the same chronology and Culture studied so far. In particular, it is important to point out the absence at San Sebastiano of fabrics with crushed calcite temper, that are on the contrary frequent, for instance, at the Arene Candide Cave.
Technological study of gold jewellery pieces dating from the Middle Kingdom to the New Kingdom in Egypt
Authors: Troalen Lore G. , Guerra Maria Filomena , Tate Jim , Manley Bill
Published: March 2016

This paper presents a technological study of items of Egyptian jewellery from the collections of the National Museums Scotland: a pendant from the 19th century BC; objects from the 16th century BC royal burial unearthed at Qurneh; two gold finger-rings dated to the 14th century BC; and a group of pendants from the 13th century BC. The objects were examined using optical microscopy, X-radiography and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). In addition, the elementary compositions of alloys and solder joints were investigated using air-path X-ray fluorescence (XRF), proton-induced X-ray analysis (micro-PIXE), and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDS). This preliminary study provides information about the evolution of alloy composition and the use of alluvial gold, and illustrates the Ancient Egyptian goldsmiths’ skills in working with wires, granulation and joining techniques.
The Phoenician gold jewellery from Kition, Cyprus
Authors: Flourentzos Pavlos , Vitobello Maria Luisa
Published: March 2016

In 1998, a built tomb was excavated on the southern outskirts of the town of Larnaca. The tomb was labelled MLA 1742 and included a unique collection of jewellery that likely adorned the deceased. Their assemblage totalled twenty three pieces belonging to various jewellery typologies, manufactured in gold and ornate with semi-precious stones. The tomb shows several ritual similarities with the famous Royal Tombs of Salamis. It can be suggested that a member of the Kition Phoenicians’ upper classes was buried here, possibly even a member of the royal family of this city. The tomb is dated to a period around the end of the 8th century BC, when Cyprus was under a strong orientalising influence, due in all probability to the presence of Phoenician settlers in Kition. Various goldsmithing techniques, such as granulation, cloisonné, etc., were applied in the production of artefacts. Some of the jewellery typologies are quite rare or even unique. The rings and swivel rings found in the tomb show a strong Egyptian influence, revealed in the decorative representation of various Egyptian deities and other Egyptian motifs.The variety of the jewellery and their well-known find spot provided the opportunity to study the hoard and gather more precise data that will facilitate the investigation of similar artefacts in the future. A pilot study, reported in this volume by Guerra and Rehren, within the AUTHENTICO research project activities was carried out on some of the artefacts, showing the high caratage of the gold alloys used in the fabrication of the jewellery.
In-situ examination and analysis of the gold jewellery from the Phoenician tomb of Kition (Cyprus)
Authors: Guerra Maria Filomena , Rehren Thilo
Published: March 2016

The Phoenician tomb discovered in Kition in 1998 yielded some of the most impressive gold jewellery items recovered by archaeological excavations in Cyprus. Seal finger-rings, lunate earrings, necklace pendants, bracelets and a richly decorated elbow fibula exemplify the goldsmith’s skill in the 8th-7th century BC. The aim of this work is to describe and illustrate the goldsmith’s techniques with low magnification micrographs and to determine the variety in composition of the gold alloys used in the manufacture of 25 items. The study, integrated in the European project AUTHENTICO, was carried out at the National Museum of Archaeology of Nicosia with a porTable video camera equipped with a zoom and a handheld XRF spectrometer.
New finds from an old treasure: the archaeometric study of new gold objects from the Phoenician sanctuary of El Carambolo (Camas, Seville, Spain)
Authors: Perea Alicia , Hunt-Ortiz Mark A.
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we present the results of an archaeometric study by SEM-EDS, carried out on six gold objects originating from the historical site where, 50 years ago, an important gold treasure, belonging to the Orientalizing-Tartesian period, was found. The new finds came to light recently, during rescue excavations that unearthed a monumental complex described as a Phoenician sanctuary.
Analytical study of the manufacturing techniques of Kushan gold jewellery (National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan)
Authors: Guerra Maria Filomena , Demortier Guy , Vitobello Maria Luisa , Bobomulloev Saidmurod , Bagault Dominique , Borel Thierry , Mirsaidov Ikhom
Published: March 2016

Little is known about goldsmithing during the period of the Great Kushans. In order to undertake a first approach to the technological choices and the gold alloys used in the fabrication of the different parts of Kushan objects, five gold jewellery items from the collections of the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan containing wires and granulation were transported from Dushanbe to Paris to be studied within the European research project “AUTHENTICO” with non-destructive scientific-based techniques at the C2RMF. All the items were found in archaeological excavations carried out in the 1970s in several regions of Tajikistan and were examined by optical microscopy, scanning microscopy, and X-ray radiography. The compositions of the alloys were determined by ion beam analysis (PIXE) at the AGLAE accelerator.
Gold technology of the ancient Scythians – gold from the kurgan Arzhan 2, Tuva
Authors: Armbruster Barbara
Published: March 2016

In 2000-2003, a ‘royal’ burial site in Tuva Republic, Siberia, dating to early Scythian times, was excavated by a joint German-Russian research program. Thousands of gold articles were discovered in the wooden chamber of ‘royal’ burial no. 5, dated to the late 7th century BC. The majority of these ornaments are decorated in the Scythian animal style. The study of the technological aspects reveals the variety of manufacturing techniques and designs employed for these extremely rich ornaments, and provides an insight into the complexity of the art of the early Scythian goldsmiths at the end of the 7th century BC. This paper aims to present the large variety of distinct processes used in the manufacture of these gold artefacts. The technical expertise and the equipment at the disposal of the Early Iron Age craftsmen can be inferred from tool marks and analysis of surface structures. The early date of these finds, demonstrated by a combination of radiocarbon and dendrochronology, supports the assumption that this particular, sophisticated style of early Scythian metal work originated in the Tuva region.
Funeral golden mask and hand with a ring. The necropolis of Trebeniste
Authors: Ilieva Pavlina , Penkova Petia
Published: March 2016

This study reviews the historical background of the Necropolis of Trebeniste while also highlighting some of the main hypotheses that help date this site and explain its significance. Furthermore, it provides a description of the tombs and focuses on two of the golden objects excavated from the graves – a funeral golden mask and a hand with a ring. It lays out the results of an analysis of the crafting techniques used – one that was conducted at a laboratory of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum under the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia, Bulgaria. This analysis aims to contribute to the further investigation and argumentation pertaining to the dating of these findings. It also hopes to suggest potential new areas of research.
Les parures en or de la nécropole thrace de Duvanli du ve siècle av. J.-C. : le cas du tumulus de Kukova
Authors: Tonkova Milena , Penkova Petia
Published: March 2016

L’article présente les premiers résultats du projet de création d’une base de données relative aux caractéristiques typologiques, stylistiques et technologiques des parures de l’époque classique et hellénistique de la collection du Musée National d’Archéologie de Sofia. La discussion scientifique porte sur l’origine des bijoux en or de la tombe de Kukova, du tumulus du ve siècle av. J.-C. Ces objets constituent les éléments d’un ensemble original de bijoux de tête et de corps typiques de l’élite thrace également présents dans deux autres riches tombes de la nécropole de Duvanli. Ces parures sont exécutées dans un style qui renvoie à des prototypes grecs, macédoniens et thraces. Les caractéristiques technologiques des bijoux sont examinées au moyen d’analyses semi quantitatives des alliages d’or par la méthode de fluorescence à rayons X et des observations sous un microscope optique digital, afin de diversifier les possibilités de recherche concernant leur origine. L’étude a fourni de nouveaux arguments à la description des groupes stylistiques formés auparavant.
The technique of gold inlaid decoration in the 5th-4th centuries BC: silver and iron finds from the early Sarmatian barrows of Filippovka, Southern Urals
Authors: Shemakhanskaya Marina , Treister Mikhail , Yablonsky Leonid
Published: March 2016

The present paper addresses silver and iron objects (iron sword awl, silver quiver hooks, and an iron knife with a silver handle) decorated with inlaid gold strips and plates. The artefacts were excavated recently in the barrows near the village of Filippovka, in the Southern Urals, and were dated to the 5th-4th centuries BC. Typological and stylistic analyses are complemented with the study of technological features of the objects. Analysis under the Analytical Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), carried out during the restoration of the objects, revealed the specific features of Urals gold. Most of the objects analysed represent local forms of the early Sarmatian culture. This technique of gold inlaid decoration was spread by the nomads of the Eurasian steppes from the Altai Mountains in the east to Central Kazakhstan and the Southern Urals in the west during a period between the 7th and the 4th centuries BC; furthermore, the technique is also attested in Achaemenid metalwork. A unique silver black patinated handle of a knife, shaped in the form of a stag, was inspired by the ‘Achaemenid international style’, but the peculiarities of style and the inlaid technique do not exclude the possibility that it could have been manufactured in a provincial Achaemenid workshop for a Sarmatian customer.
From the goldsmith’s point of view
Authors: Aufderhaar Iris
Published: March 2016

During the first millennium AD, gilding was of great importance for the decoration of ornaments in the Germanic area. With respect to archaeological finds, the different techniques used to produce them are hard to distinguish without scientific investigations. Nevertheless, it is possible to put forth some hypotheses regarding these methods on the basis of the analyses carried out so far, and the observation of typical attributes, like workmanship and choice of material. The gilding techniques used for some fibulae and brooches are analysed exemplarily, and discussed together with the advantages and disadvantages related to their specific attributes, and changes in their technique and design during the first millennium AD. In addition, the supply of raw materials and the correlations between gold imports into the Germanic area and the amount of gilded material are discussed.
The wire ‘at astragals’, or beaded wire
Authors: Donati Maurizio
Published: March 2016

This research describes the methods of construction of beaded wire (‘at astragals’), used as decoration by goldsmiths from medieval times until the 19th century, in the work of the Roman goldsmiths Castellani. This paper focuses on fifteen original steel tools from Alfredo Castellani’s Legacy, retrieved in 1978, restored and inventoried by the author. These tools are used to describe the technique used in the Castellani workshop. This technique is compared with the technique described in the Theophilus Presbyter’s treatise.
The jewellery from the casket of Maria Pia of Savoy, Queen of Portugal, produced at Castellani’s workshop
Authors: Oliveira Maria José , Maranhas Teresa , Seruya Ana Isabel , Magro Francisco A. , Borel Thierry , Guerra Maria Filomena
Published: March 2016

The casket of Queen Maria Pia of Savoy, belonging to the collection of the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, contains a set of thirty-three pieces of gold jewellery in the archaeological style created by the Castellani workshop in Rome. This family of jewellers, fascinated by the ancient techniques of gold working, restored but also reproduced several antique pieces, giving rise to the emergence of the so-called ‘archaeological jewellery’, very popular in the 19th century, using characteristic techniques of antique jewellery such as granulation, filigree, micro-mosaic and engraving of stones in intaglio. The main purpose of this paper is to present the results of the analyses of the base metals used in the manufacture of the jewellery and also to identify the production techniques, such as mounting, joining and decoration, used by the Castellani workshop in making the jewellery for the casket of Queen Maria Pia of Savoy. For this purpose, portable equipment of examination and analysis was brought to the museum. The results obtained in situ show the use of standard wires and granules, as well as of three different base alloys. One element of a hairpin pair which appears to have originated from a different production is discussed.
Archéologie précolombienne et analyses scientifiques
Authors: Bouchard Jean-François , Guerra Maria Filomena
Published: March 2016

Une petite figurine en or provenant du site El Angel est associée aux traditions orfèvres Tumaco La Tolita, alors qu’elle provient d’une région hors de l’aire culturelle de cette civilisation, à l’extérieur de la frange côtière. L’étude, au moyen de méthodes non-destructives, des techniques de mise en forme, assemblage et décoration utilisées pour sa fabrication montre que la figurine a subi un remontage moderne, mais que la grande majorité de ses parties principales est authentique.La composition élémentaire des alliages et surtout la présence de fortes teneurs en Fe, Pd et Pt sont typiques des ors utilisés pour l’orfèvrerie La Tolita Tumaco. La figurine provenant du site d’El Angel, en Sierra, serait ainsi un des rares exemples d’objets exportés loin de son aire géoculturelle.
Pre-Columbian alloys from the royal tombs of Sipán and from the Museum of Sicán
Authors: Cesareo Roberto , Bustamante Angel , Fabian Julio , Calza Cristina , Anjos Marcelino dos , Lopes Ricardo T. , Alva Walter , Chero Luis , Gutierrez Fidel , Espinoza Maria del Carmen , Rodriguez Rosendo , Seclen Marco , Curay Victor , Elera Carlos , Shimada Izumi
Published: March 2016

On the north coast of present-day Peru, approximately between 50 and 700 AD, flourished the Moche civilization. It was an advanced culture, and the Moche were sophisticated metalsmiths. The Moche metal working ability was impressively shown by the excavations of the “Tumbas Reales de Sipán”, discovered by W. Alva and co-workers in 1987.The Sicán culture is a successive civilization (750-1375 AD) which extended as far as present day Piura in the north and Trujillo in the south. The Sicán culture was strongly influenced by the Moche culture, particularly in its metallurgical development (Shimada and Griffin, 1994). The metal objects from the Museums of Sipán and Sicán were analyzed with a portable equipment which uses energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF). This portable equipment is composed of a small size X-ray tube and a Si-PIN thermoelectrically cooled X-ray detector. It was determined that the analyzed artefacts are composed of gold, silver and copper alloys, of gilded copper, of silvered gold, and of tumbaga, the last being a poor gold alloy enriched at the surface by depletion gilding, i.e. removing copper from the surface.In the case of gold, silver and copper alloys, their composition was determined by EDXRF analysis employing standard alloys. In the case of gilded copper, silvered copper and of tumbaga, the ratio Cu(Ka/Kb) was accurately determined from the X-ray spectra, first in order to clearly distinguish them, and subsequently in order to determine the thickness of the gilding. Mean values of 0.4 µm and 2.7 µm were determined for gilded copper and tumbaga, respectively. For gilded silver, the ratio Ag(Ka/Kb) was measured. The ratios Au-Ka/Cu-Ka, Ag-Ka/Cu-Ka and Au-Ka/Ag-Ka (gilded copper, silvered copper, and gilded silver, respectively) also depend on the thickness of gilding or silvering, and were employed to this aim.
Technological and material features of the gold work of Mesoamerica
Authors: Ruvalcaba Sil José Luis , Guerrero Gabriela Peñuelas , Vargas Jannen Contreras , Díaz Edith Ortiz , Vázquez Eumelia Hernández
Published: March 2016

The metallurgical work in Pre-Columbian America achieved a high degree of development. In the Mesoamerican area, the development of metallurgy started very late, during the post-Classic period (800 AD). Nevertheless, various techniques, such as lost wax casting and false filigree, were rapidly developed and improved. Most of the gold metallurgy was developed in the Oaxaca region, in the South of Mexico, by the Mixtec people.A limited number of gold alloy based artefacts survived after the conquest of Mexico. Few collections are related to archaeological contexts and may be used to obtain reliable information about the technical features and materials used in the Mesoamerican gold metallurgy. For this reason, non-destructive analyses have been performed on some artefacts of the most important collections of the Mexican museums using portable XRF and PIXE in the laboratory.In this work, a full review of the main technical features and alloys of the analyzed gold artefacts from the Mesoamerican area collections are presented. This database may be used to study collections of gold artefacts from the Mesoamerican areas.
Precious metals determination in ancient coins by portable ED-XRF spectroscopy with a 238Pu source
Authors: Parreira Paulo S. , Appoloni Carlos R. , Vieira Rejane Maria Lobo , Scorzelli Rosa B. , Corre Laetitia Le , Guerra Maria Filomena
Published: March 2016

A portable X-ray fluorescence system (pXRF) was employed to analyse a set of gold, silver and billon coins from the collection of the Museu Histórico Nacional do Rio de Janeiro (MHN), struck during the Brasil Colônia period, under the Dutch occupation, and in Portuguese mints under the reigns of Fernando I (1367 to 1383) and his successor João I (1383 to 1433). The experimental setup consisted of a mini Si-PIN detector and a radioactive source of 238Pu for the excitation of the samples. The aim of the study was to test the possibilities and limitations of this portable system for the determination of the coins’ base alloys, and to verify whether the results obtained were consistent with historical facts. The Brasil Colônia period coins show about 80.5% gold and 96.8% silver. For the Portuguese coins, we could identify a possible monetary debasement during the reign of João I. No matrix corrections were made for these preliminary results.
Gold jewellery of devotional images in Campeche State, Mexico
Authors: Brito Eva , Chaire Feliciano
Published: March 2016

The objective of this work is to understand the cultural significance of gold, specifically in the use of jewels for the decoration of devotional sculptures, for a population of Mayan origin that currently lives in the State of Campeche, Mexico. We study three cases of cult images of great reputation among Catholics: one from Campeche City and two others from rural areas. The method mainly consisted in recovering data from historic documents, living testimonies and oral traditions, and carrying out an analysis of religious festivities. The cultural value given to these objects by people makes it necessary to recognize them as Communal Cultural Heritage. Only through joint action and cooperation between tholic communities, the Mexican Government, Church and society in general, we will be able to guarantee their security and preservation.
Forgeries and public collections
Authors: La Niece Susan
Published: March 2016

Large public collections, however prestigious, inevitably have some forgeries in their storerooms (and occasionally on display) and, although this aspect may seem reprehensible in a publicly funded collection, it is almost inevitable, given the means by which collections are built up by museums. All collectors are vulnerable to forgers who customise their products to tempt the buyer with something that will fill an important gap in their collection, and museums are just as likely to fall for this as private collectors. Forgeries may also enter museum collections as gifts. Museums not infrequently receive bequests from generous patrons, sometimes comprising large numbers of objects, and amongst them a forgery may be included, unrecognised, and may remain unquestioned for many years before coming to the attention of a curator or visiting scholar. This paper presents some case studies of objects in the British Museum for which scientific analysis has demonstrated that either the materials or the technology used in their making are not compatible with their supposed date of manufacture.
Micro rayures et signes d’usure
Authors: Formigli Edilberto
Published: March 2016

Les traces laissées par les instruments anciens et modernes de travail ont, depuis plusieurs années, fait l’objet d’études avec succès. Aux différentes méthodes archéométriques utilisées pour l’identification de faux, ainsi que dans le domaine d’authentification d’orfèvrerie archéologique, nous proposons d’ajouter une technique basée sur l’observation de l’objet par microscopie optique ou électronique. Cette méthode repose sur l’étude de la surface de la tôle, pour identifier les stratifications des traces correspondant soit aux anciennes opérations du travail de l’orfèvre, soit au contact et au frottement au cours du temps de cette surface avec des matériaux extérieurs, qui viennent se superposer aux traces initiales. En reconnaissant la séquence chronologique des superpositions des marques, il est parfois possible de reconstruire l’histoire de l’objet et d’avancer une hypothèse sur son ancienneté. Les traces d’usure visibles sur la surface des objets d’orfèvrerie fournissent également des informations fondamentales sur la durée de vie de ces objets et sur leur utilisation.
A new approach to the authentication of goldwork
Authors: Bobin Olivier , Guegan Hervé
Published: March 2016

The study of goldwork encompasses several large fields of investigations. Scientific analyses can respond to questions concerning production techniques, provenance and preservation. However, what about authentication? This type of works of art generally has very high prices, leading to an increase in the number of forgeries. Today, fakes can imitate artworks produced by most civilisations and with different origins. Moreover, most of the objects we analyse cannot be submitted to destructive sampling. That is the reason why we employ external-beam PIXE for the analysis of such objects, a method able to offer reliable and non-intrusive scientific investigations. Our methodology consists of two steps, which, in their combination, provide information about the chronological compatibility of the objects with their presumed period. First, an optical and electronic microscope investigation allows us to identify tool marks, weathering features, to reveal traditional or fraudulent surface treatments, and to characterise superficial deposits. This first approach is able to identify bad quality fakes. However, these analyses are generally insufficient to establish the authentication of the objects. That is why we also perform external-beam PIXE analyses on goldwork. Thus, the qualitative and quantitative studies of trace elements are able to provide insights into metallurgical methods and the fineness of alloys. This paper describes our methodology and presents different examples of its application, including the discussion of specific problems encountered in the analysis of this type of objects.
Copy or authentic?
Authors: Vella Daniel , Licari James , Vella Nicholas , Sultana Sharon , Ciantar Vanessa
Published: March 2016

The present work is a study of a Phoenician finger ring from the collection of the National Museum of Archaeology, Malta. The item was first described by the museum’s director Themistocles Zammit in 1925, and is believed to date to the 6th century BC. The ring consists of two stirrup-shaped hoops, which can be worn separately or fitted together and worn as a single piece. Inscribed on the bezel surface is a seafaring vessel. Zammit described the artefact as manufactured in pure gold, quoting its mass as 9.65 g. The ring in the collection fits Zammit’s description but differs significantly in weight. The aim of this paper is throw light on the authenticity of this ring using documentary sources and non-invasive scientific techniques of analysis. Optical and electron microscopy allowed a thorough description of the manufacturing technique, while the material analysis was conducted via energy dispersive spectrometry. As a result of these analyses, it was concluded that the ring is not authentic, but is most probably a copy, possibly commissioned by Zammit himself.
Modern and ancient gold jewellery attributed to the Etruscans: a science-based study
Authors: Rastrelli Anna , Miccio Marcello , Troalen Lore G. , Martinón-Torres Marcos , Guerra Maria Filomena , Siano Salvatore , Sumbera Andrej , Vitobello Maria Luisa
Published: March 2016

A fibula with a lion and a pair of cluster earrings from the collection of the Florence National Museum of Archaeology, attributed to the Etruscans and said to originate from Populonia but suspected to be modern productions, were studied in the framework of the European project AUTHENTICO. They were compared to genuine objects from this same collection and from the collection of the National Museums Scotland. The study was carried out in situ in Florence with a stereomicroscope equipped with a digital camera, a handheld XRF spectrometer, and the portable LIPS prototype developed by AUTHENTICO. Some objects were studied with SEM and X-radiography. The aim of the study was to show that portable techniques of examination and analysis provide information on gold jewellery that allow the differentiation of modern and ancient productions.
Treasures of Portuguese archaeology Notes towards a preventive conservation project
Authors: Tissot Isabel , Tissot Matthias , Pedroso Pedro , Raposo Luís
Published: March 2016

The permanent exhibition “Treasures of Portuguese Archaeology” of the Portuguese National Archaeological Museum is composed mainly of gold and silver artefacts which present extensive surface corrosion. The construction of the exhibition room dates from the late 1980s, and it was conceived with the highest security standards in mind. However, at that time, the importance of the choice of compatible materials and equipments for the exhibition of metal artefacts was still unknown, and the same was true for the influence in terms of corrosion development, even for gold objects, if an inappropriate material was selected. Preventive conservation directives and actions have been developed since then, and presently one is confronted with new paradigms for the exhibition and preservation of artefacts, and, moreover, of cultural heritage. A preventive conservation project, which is currently in its initial stages, was set up with the objective of identifying and understanding the pathologies observed, in order to correct the problems presented by the exhibition room. This article presents an overall view of the project, a description of the alterations observed, and a summary of the methods proposed for obtaining responses to the respective problems, with the purpose of correcting the room’s fragilities.
Chimie, structure de la matière et modalités du débitage des ultramylonites et cataclasites armoricaines : exemple du site mésolithique final de Creac’h Miné Vihan (France)
Authors: Tsobgou Ahoupe Rodrigue
Published: March 2016

Le Mésolithique final en Armorique daté autour de 5000 av. J.-C. est subdivisé en deux entités culturelles ayant pour frontière commune l’embouchure de la Loire : Téviécien en Bretagne et Retzien en Pays de la Loire (Rozoy, 1978). Divers matériaux sont utilisés durant cette période sur le Massif armoricain en raison de l’absence du substrat rocheux de silex en position primaire. Les ultramylonites et cataclasites sont l’un de ces matériaux et, de part leur structure et modes de formation différents de ceux du silex, il est important d’évaluer l’influence de la matière sur les modalités et les objectifs du débitage. Le choix du site de Creac’h Miné Vihan est lié à sa position au sein du cisaillement sud armoricain, à l’abondance d’ultramylonites et cataclasites et à la présence non moins importante de silex côtier. Les objectifs de débitage diffèrent en fonction du faciès de la roche et de son aptitude à favoriser le détachement d’un type particulier de produit. Ainsi deux structures de roches déformées prédominent dans l’obtention des produits lamino-laminaires ou éclats allongés (structure ultramylonite s.s. et ultracataclastite). Le choix des faciès n’est pas anodin car il s’agit d’une adaptation par la mise en place de chemins de débitage différents suite à la compréhension de la constitution des matériaux (unipolaire et bipolaire pour ultramylonite s.s. et ultracataclasite, multipolaire pour cataclasite et ultramylonite cataclasée).
Ancient gold patinas: experimental reconstruction
Authors: Pacini Alessandro
Published: March 2016

The present study is based on the experimental reconstruction of samples of different carat gold foil, obtained by hand hammering, and subsequently subjected to different physical-chemical treatments with the aim of reproducing ancient patinas. The treated samples were then analysed by SEM-EDS in order to provide a valid comparison with the ancient goldsmiths’ techniques.
Gilding on wall paintings from a period
Authors: Cavallo Giovanni , Verda Marcel
Published: March 2016

The use of gildings on wall paintings enjoyed its largest development in Italy between the 13th and 14th centuries AD. This work covers a few important artefacts from the Lombard lake region, dating from a period between 1360 and 1520, and painted by the Seregnesi, Da Tradate and De Passeri studios. Its purpose is to understand the gilding techniques by means of scientific examinations (OM, SEM/EDS, FTIR), integrated with information from ancient treatises.Two main gilding techniques have been used in this context: the composite foil (tin and gold), and the single gold foil, in both cases fixed on the wall by a type of oil-based adhesive with the addition of inorganic pigments, mostly lead white and ochres, called missione. The scientific results are in agreement with the recipes contained in the ancient treatises, particularly in the Libro dell’Arte by Cennino Cennini.Extending the research to other case studies in Tessin and Italy, it is clear that the gilding technique was not influenced by the geographical and historical context, but by the final appearance required by the decoration on the wall surface. The use of tin in the composite foil permitted the gold foil to be burnished and engraved.
Méthode d’étude de la retouche des outils sur lames de silex pressigniennes
Authors: Sestier Claude
Published: March 2016

La transformation des lames et éclats de silex en outils est réalisée par la retouche, selon diverses méthodes et techniques. Nous étudions ici les caractéristiques d’une retouche donnant un fil coupant, apte à servir à la coupe de végétaux non ligneux. Différents paramètres descriptifs et quantifiables ont été testés pour estimer l’intensité de la retouche située sur les bords latéraux des lames et donc leur degré de modification. L’objectif de cette recherche est de développer les moyens de comparer quantitativement les outils en silex à partir de critères mesurables et quantifiables, afin d’évaluer leurs degrés d’usure et de fonctionnement.Pour évaluer le degré de modification du bord des lames, il est nécessaire de connaître leur section initiale avant la modification par retouche. Une méthode mathématique et une méthode géométrique de reconstruction des sections sont proposées et testées pour les lames pressigniennes. Elle permet de calculer le volume de matière enlevé par retouche. L’influence des cycles de retouche successifs sur les transformations morphologiques des outils a été évaluée et quantifiée. Le volume de matière enlevée par retouche est corrélé au nombre de cycles d’affûtages successifs.Ces résultats méthodologiques permettent de classer les séries d’outils archéologiques sur la base de leur évolution morphologique, elle-même issue des usages répétés des outils. Il s’agit en quelque sorte d’une typologie « génétique » qui tient compte de mécanismes techno-fonctionnels. La méthode élaborée a été appliquée à l’étude des « poignards » pressigniens réalisés à partir des grandes lames en silex du Grand-Pressigny (Indre-et-Loire, entre 3 100 et 2 400 avant J.-C. environ). L’étude quantitative et qualitative de la retouche, à différents stades de la vie de ces outils sur lames, devrait permettre une meilleure évaluation de leur diversité morphologique et typologique. Ultérieurement, le classement des outils en fonction de leur degré de transformation morphologique (usure, recyclages) sera spatialisé à l’échelle macro-régionale. Cette spatialisation devrait permettre d’évaluer la valeur économique du silex et des outils exportés, ainsi que les besoins fonctionnels des populations, en fonction de la distance par rapport à la source de matière première et à la zone de production des lames.
The tuffs of the “Servian Wall” in Rome
Authors: Panei Liliana
Published: March 2016

In the context of the current scientific collaboration between the Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici di Roma and the Laboratorio di Sperimentazione Mineraria e Petrografica del Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico, a study has been carried out on some tuff blocks recovered during the redecoration of the historic building where our laboratory is located (the building is on Quirinale hill). Archaeological sources affirm that these blocks belong to the first wall that surrounded Rome, the wall named “Mura Serviane”. It was built from the 6th to the 4th century B.C. An archaeometric study of the tuff blocks has been carried out aiming to identify the kind of raw materials used and to compare the results with the data regarding the tuff banks set in the area of Rome: in the central area and in the north of Rome.