# An Insight into a Shang Dynasty Bronze Vessel by Nuclear Techniques
###### Abstract  
A bronze wine vessel attributed to 1600-1046 B.C., [PERSON] dynasty in China, an object from the East Asian Collection of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences in Sydney (Australia), was studied using a non-destructive scientific analytical protocol based on the synergic combination of nuclear techniques. Gamma spectrometry, neutron-computed tomography, and proton-induced X-ray emission (PXE) spectroscopy were applied to gain a better insight into the structural and compositional features of the artefact to prove its authenticity. Gamma spectrometry was performed to assess the risk of excessive sample activation induced by long exposure to the neutron beam and to determine the bulk elemental composition. Based on neutron-computed tomography, the porosities and the thickness of the metal wall were evaluated and found consistent with the piece-mould casting technology adopted by craftsen during the [PERSON] dynasty in China. Finally, PIXE spectroscopy demonstrated the use of a ternary (copper-tin-leaded) alloy and the nature of mineralisation on the surface. Keywords:[PERSON] dynasty; bronze vessel; nuclear techniques; non-invasive analysis +
Footnote †: journal: Medical  
At the time of writing, Chinese bronzes have been investigated using established high-sensitivity analytical techniques, thus, resulting in a wealth of information on (1) their provenance based on the lead isotope analysis [7; 8; 9], (2) the alloy composition through metallographic analysis [10; 11; 12], (3) elemental analysis by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy [12; 13], wet chemical analysis and (electron/photon/ion) emission spectroscopy [14], (4) the manufacturing process via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray imaging [15]. Additionally, (5) micro-Raman spectroscopy and micro-Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy have been used to examine the distribution of metal phases and the extent of corrosion in Chinese bronzes [14; 16]. Synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy for phase analysis, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) for Pb-isotope quantification, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for the elemental analysis (As, Bi, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn) have been used in archaeometallurgy studies [11]. [PERSON] and co-authors offer a comprehensive review on the evolution of studies in ancient Chinese copper-based objects in their seminal publication [12]. The scientific examination of dozens of Chinese bronze objects produced from the [PERSON] culture to the [PERSON] dynasty and excavated in major archaeological sites is completed, and elemental and isotopic analyses on Chinese copper-based objects are greatly present in the literature. However, such investigations have been mostly based on invasive analytical procedures [5; 12]. Nowadays, a non-invasive methodology for scientific investigations of precious art objects is mandatorily required by museums and other institutions collecting, restoring, and conserving art. On the contrary, most analytical tools, routinely used for the investigation of metal artefacts, are invasive, compromise the integrity of unique items, or are superficial and unable to provide information about the bulk. The presented forensic study combines a suite of non-invasive analytical tools to characterise the structure and composition of a Shang dynasty bronze wine vessel in an attempt to prove its authenticity. Neutron-computed tomography (n-CT) is a non-invasive technique capable of providing density-dependent spatially resolved information [17]. Structural and morphological inner features, such as the amount, distribution, and shape of defects, mainly porosity and slag inclusions, can be quantified and related to the manufacturing process [18]. For example, traces of porosity and fins where the molten metal has leaked out at a joint between mould pieces can be identified.