An Eighteenth Dynasty Egyptian sealed pottery stored at the Museum of Aquitaine (Bordeaux, France) has been investigated using terahertz radiation, X-rays and neutrons. THz computed tomography ...revealed nondestructively the presence of content, whereas X-rays and neutrons analyzed more precisely the fabrication process and conservation of the pottery together with the nature of this content owing to higher spatial resolution and contrast. With neutron tomography, we determined the method used to seal the jar as well as the finer structure of the inner content. Neutron-induced prompt gamma spectroscopy was finally applied to measure the elemental composition of the content, which is supposed to consist of dried germinated seeds.
A novel sintering method, spark plasma sintering has been applied to develop carbon nanotube reinforced silicon nitride composites. For sake of comparison hot isostatic pressing has been also used ...for composite processing. Optimization of the elaboration processes has been conducted to preserve the carbon nanotubes in composites and to avoid damaging during high temperature processing. A suitable bonding between carbon nanotube and silicon nitride have been also monitored. Nearly full compacted composites with superior mechanical properties have been obtained in the case of novel sintering method, whereas the conventional sintering resulted in porous samples.
Chloride (Cl) ions diffuse into iron objects during burial and drive corrosion after excavation. Located under corrosion layers, Cl is inaccessible to many analytical techniques. Neutron analysis ...offers non‐destructive avenues for determining Cl content and distribution in objects. A pilot study used prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) and prompt gamma activation imaging (PGAI) to analyse the bulk concentration and longitudinal distribution of Cl in archaeological iron objects. This correlated with the object corrosion rate measured by oxygen consumption, and compared well with Cl measurement using a specific ion meter. High‐Cl areas were linked with visible damage to the corrosion layers and attack of the iron core. Neutron techniques have significant advantages in the analysis of archaeological metals, including penetration depth and low detection limits.
Recently, several archaeometrical projects have been started on the prehistoric collection of the Hungarian National Museum. Among the analytical methods applied, non‐destructive prompt gamma ...activation analysis has a special importance. We have also tested the potential of this method on chipped stone tools, with the aim of determining their exact provenance. On the basis of major and trace element components, characterizations of stone tools and their raw materials—silicites (flint, chert, radiolarite and hornstone) as well as volcanites (felsitic porphyry and obsidian)—were performed. We discuss some important results concerning each group, as case studies. Compiling the data set of different PGAA analysis series, compositions of 110 samples are reported, including 76 archaeological pieces. In the future, we plan to extend the number of investigated objects in each class.
Carbonate-rich archaeological artefacts are difficult to identify and correlate between them and with raw materials of such heterogeneous geological sources, especially when only non-invasive ...analysis is possible. A novel combination of X-ray and neutron-based non-invasive analysis is implemented and used for the first time to study prehistoric stone idols and vessels, contributing to culture identity, mobility and interaction in the recent Prehistory of Southern Iberia. Elemental composition was obtained by prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) and external beam particle-induced x-ray emission (PIXE); homogeneity of the stone artefacts and the presence/absence of internal fractures were obtained by neutron radiography (NR). These atomic and nuclear techniques, simultaneously used for complementary chemical information, have been demonstrated to be of great value as they provide non-destructive compositional information avoiding sample preparation, crucial in so singular and rare objects. The obtained results, especially of PGAA, are very promising and useful in general assessments of provenance. The stone artefacts show signs of both nearby and long-distance procurement, as well as of unknown attribution.
In this paper we show the results of a study concerning 42 axes, mainly discovered in the Copper Age pile dwellings of Ljubljansko barje (central Slovenia) and in the neighbouring areas of Caput ...Adriae. The studied shaft‐hole axes, characterized by homogeneous typology but slightly different raw materials, have been called ‘Ljubljana‐type’ axes (Lt). The raw materials show a common OIB‐like signature and metamorphic and spilitization features that recall oceanic conditions. The typological and geochemical characteristics and the very high percentage of Lt axes among the polished stone axe assemblages of Ljubljansko barje suggest that the raw material was probably gathered from one or more relatively small outcrops close to Ljubljansko barje. Similar igneous rock types outcrop in the presumably Palaeozoic diabase/shale complex (Eisenkappler Diabaszug), intruded by the northern Karawanken plutonic belt. A probable provenance from this area, particularly rich in copper ore deposit, would confirm the important role of Ljubljansko barje as a metallurgical district, as well as a strong relation between lithic raw materials and Cu cultivation districts during the Copper age.
A collection of nine coloured glass tesserae from Hagia Sophia, Constantinopolis is analytically studied aiming at the characterisation of the base glass used and its technology production, as well ...as at the diagnosis of its preservation state. A variety of non-invasive techniques like Fibre Optics Microscopy (FOM), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersion X-ray Analysis (SEM-EDS), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), and Prompt-Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA) are used for the analytical examination of the glass tesserae of different colourings. Additionally, and of great importance, is an attempt to estimate its chronological framework and, further, to produce provenance assignments, based on the statistical evaluation with parallels from published studies of other Byzantine monuments of Early and Late Byzantine Era. It is concluded that all the examined tesserae which were found severely deteriorated, are Early Byzantine natron glasses produced in the Levant, with the exception of a dark blue individual tessera having a Byzantine–Syrian origin of a latter period (Middle Byzantine). Furthermore, based on compositional similarities, use of tesserae transported by the Constantinopolis artisans for the decoration of parts of the mosaics at the palaeo-christian monuments of Ravenna and Padova in Italy, holds a great probability. Finally, well known Early Byzantine church monuments from Thessaloniki, Greece, followed statistical evaluation, found as to have used tesserae of the type likewise Hagia Sophia, but also plant-ash tesserae of an Eastern Byzantine origin; the latter indicating posterior construction or modification phases of the monuments' mosaics.
The earliest known iron artefacts are nine small beads securely dated to circa 3200 BC, from two burials in Gerzeh, northern Egypt. We show that these beads were made from meteoritic iron, and shaped ...by careful hammering the metal into thin sheets before rolling them into tubes. The study demonstrates the ability of neutron and X-ray methods to determine the nature of the material even after complete corrosion of the iron metal. The iron beads were strung into a necklace together with other exotic minerals such as lapis lazuli, gold and carnelian, revealing the status of meteoritic iron as a special material on a par with precious metal and gem stones. The results confirm that already in the fourth millennium BC metalworkers had mastered the smithing of meteoritic iron, an iron–nickel alloy much harder and more brittle than the more commonly worked copper. This is of wider significance as it demonstrates that metalworkers had already nearly two millennia of experience to hot-work meteoritic iron when iron smelting was introduced. This knowledge was essential for the development of iron smelting, which produced metal in a solid state process and hence depended on this ability in order to replace copper and bronze as the main utilitarian metals.
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•Quantitative non-invasive analysis shows beads to be of meteoritic origin.•Neutron Imaging reveals manufacturing from rolled thin hammered sheet.•Combination of methods and results strengthens main argument.
This paper summarized the results of comprehensive petro-mineralogical and geochemical (archeometrical) investigation of Inka Period ceramics excavated from Inka (A.D. 1438–1535) and Late ...Intermediate Period (A.D. 1000/1200–1438) sites of the Paria Basin (Dept. Oruro, Bolivia). Applying geological analytical techniques we observed a complex and important archaeological subject of the region and the era, the cultural-economic influence of the conquering Inkas in the provincial region of Paria appearing in the ceramic material.
According to our results, continuity and changes of raw material utilization and pottery manufacturing techniques from the Late Intermediate to the Inka Period are characterized by analytical methods. The geological field survey provided efficient basis for the identification of utilized raw material sources. On the one hand, ceramic supply of both eras proved to be based almost entirely on local and near raw material sources. So, imperial handicraft applied local materials but with sophisticated imperial techniques in Paria. On the other hand, Inka Imperial and local-style vessels also show clear differences in their material which suggests that sources and techniques functioned already in the Late Intermediate Period subsisted even after the Inka conquest of the Paria Basin. Based on our geological investigations, pottery supply system of the Paria region proved to be rather complex during the Inka Period.
► We observed the cultural impact of Inka conquest on the archaeological record. ► Geological study of pottery proved continuity and changes of material use and manufacture. ► Field survey helped to identify the used local and near raw material sources. ► Inka imperial handicraft applied local materials but with sophisticated techniques. ► Pre-Inka sources and techniques subsisted even after the Inka conquest.
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