XRF

The complexity of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectra has lead to a number of computerised interpretation and element identification systems being developed and reported in the literature. In practice, however, human operators can generally perform the task better. The system outlined here uses a strategy based upon the recorded experience of experts, and employs an expert system with fuzzy logic to analyse and interpret XRF spectra. The aim has been to develop and implement a heuristically based scheme able to perform XRF qualitative analysis efficiently and effectively. Future developments and improvements to the system are discussed.

Over the last two decades, together with the increasing prices in the antique market and the proliferation of private 'hobby collectors', the number of fakes in circulation among antique shops, auctions and even institutions and museums has noticeably increased. So called 'bronzes' seem to be the favourite objects for both fakers and inexperienced collectors. In some cases the fakes are well made, so that often the professional can be fooled by them also. In this paper some examples of modern and ancient fake objects will be discussed.

Новая книга кандидата исторических наук, ведущего научного сотрудника сектора нумизматики Национального музея истории Украины –
Андрея Бойко-Гагарина
«ФАЛЬШИВОМОНЕТНИЧЕСТВО В ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ И ВОСТОЧНОЙ ЕВРОПЕ В ЭПОХУ СРЕДНЕВЕКОВЬЯ И РАННЕГО НОВОГО ВРЕМЕНИ»
посвящена подделкам монет в ущерб денежному обращению. В работе изучены основные типы подделок монет, встречающихся в находках Центральной и Восточной Европы, анализируются причины появления фальсификатов, определена роль фальшивок в истории денежного обращения, локализированы потенциальные центры незаконного производства монет на территории современной Украины.
Киев, 2017. Тираж 400 шт.





Contact me for ordering the book
Для приобретения книги свяжитесь со мной

boiko.gagarin@gmail.com

MacDonald, B.L. The Analysis of Inorganic Pigments using Spectrometric Techniques. In, The Unvarnished Truth: Exploring the Material History of Paintings. Edited by B.L. MacDonald, N. Hathaway, C. Podedworny. McMaster Museum of Art: Hamilton, Canada. Distributed by Art Books Canada, Montreal. pp. 53-61.

Pubblicazione realizzata nel quadro del progetto PRIN 2003100558_004 Nessuna parte di que sto libro può essere riprodotta o trasmessa in qualsiasi forma o con qualsiasi mezzo elettronico, meccanico o altro senza l'autorizzazione scritta dei proprietari dei diritti e dell'editore. L'Editore resta a disposizione degli aventi diritto per le fonti iconografiche non individuate.

The altar frontal from the church of Sant Llorenç de Morunys is a late thirteenth-century or early fourteenth-century polychrome wooden structure. At present, the altar frontal is in a precarious condition that neither allows the iconographical identification of its figures, nor its exhibition. However, a more in-depth study, together with contemporary bibliographical source cross-referencing, has permitted the authors to extract new information and draw conclusions. In order to obtain information about the evolution of the creative process, the study focuses on the marks made both in the ground layer for the realisation of the design, and on the high-relief decorations. Material components present in the traces left by a tool to implement the preliminary drawing have identified by Xray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) and confirm the use of a dry technique using a lead-tin stylus. Polychrome
techniques applied over tin leaf, such as glazing, were also studied. The iconography of the altar frontal has been revealed, and the identification of the final scene is now clear.

Con questo volume, il Centro Internazionale d’Arte e di Cultura di Palazzo
Te prosegue un progetto editoriale iniziato con Indagando Mantegna del
2007, e che, come aveva a suo tempo chiaramente indicato il presidente
Enrico Voceri, “si inserisce pienamente negli obiettivi culturali che da anni
il Centro di Palazzo Te è impegnato a perseguire”. Al pari di allora, il volume
nasce, per così dire, “all’ombra” di una grande esposizione: all’epoca fu
Mantegna a Mantova, nel 2006, oggi è Giovanni Bellini, da poco conclusa
alle Scuderie del Quirinale a Roma. Se ho scelto di virgolettare il termine
“all’ombra”, è perché non vorrei in alcun modo ingenerare equivoci; mostre
e volumi sono stati e sono del tutto indipendenti, ognuno col proprio sapore
particolare, così come un bel fungo nei pressi di un albero; ma, come
è l’albero ad offrire al fungo l’habitat ideale, così le mostre, e la raccolta di
opere in esse contenute, hanno offerto l’occasione di un numero rilevante
di esami scientifici sui dipinti, subito raccolti dal Centro di Palazzo Te.
Come il libro precedente, anche questo porta nel titolo il verbo al gerundio,
Indagando; si vuol trasmettere in tal modo il messaggio di un sapere
che non è scritto una volta per sempre come le tavole della legge, non è
ingabbiato e cristallizzato in sistemi divenuti più rigidi di un cilicio ideologico,
ma “si fa” davanti ai nostri occhi, tentando percorsi nuovi della
ricerca; e può, anzi deve, offrire gli spunti per essere quanto prima superato.
A chi non è addentro ai riti della storia dell’arte, il fatto che siano
possibili, su un unico oggetto, opinioni critiche del tutto diverse e contrastanti
può sembrare frutto o di scarsa professionalità, sempre possibile,
o di qualcosa che somiglia alla magia divinatoria, alla rabdomanzia; ed
è per questo che, in special modo negli ultimi trenta o quarant’anni, si è
fatta sempre più pressante l’esigenza di trovare terreni di discussione che
consentano, se non proprio la replicabilità del dato tipica delle scienze
esatte, almeno una forbice minore di alternative, così che lo statuto della
storia dell’arte divenga più conforme a quello di tali scienze.
(dall'introduzione di Mauro Lucco)

“Bazı Arkeometrik Yöntemler İle Yapılan Çalışmalar ve Elde Edilen Sonuçlar” adlı bu araştırmada, Arkeometri yöntemleri hakkında bilgi verilmiş ve bu uygulamaların hem yurt içi hem de yurt dışı örnekleri verilerek bir sonuca varılmak istenmiştir. Arkeometri, insanlığın
kültür tarihini anlamada arkeologlara yardımcı olabilmek için antik eserlerin ve materyallerin pozitif bilim yöntemleriyle incelenmesidir. Arkeometri, geçmiş yaşamı anlamaya ve yeniden kurmaya çalışan arkeolojiye doğru bilgi almasında yardım eden ve önemi giderek artan bir
bilim dalıdır. Arkeometri genel bir tanım olarak, arkeolojinin, doğa bilimleriyle bağlantısını kuran bir yöntemdir ve gelişimi de arkeolojiden çok doğa bilimlerinin gelişmesine bağlıdır. Arkeometri, fiziksel, kimyasal, biyolojik, doğal, jeofizik, matematiksel ve antropolojik bilimleri içeren insan kültür tarihinin disiplinler arası çalışmasıdır. Mutlak kronolojiler,
malzeme analizi, ekolojik etkileşimler, jeofizik araştırmalar, geçim ekonomileri ve koruma için tarihlemeyi içerir. Antik eserlerin nasıl, ne zaman, nerede, kimler tarafından ve ne için yaratıldığını anlayabilmek amacıyla arkeologlar çok çeşitli alanlardan uzman kişilerin yardımını istemektedirler. Arkeometri, fen bilimleriyle arkeolojinin ilişkisine de denebilir. Arkeometri, genel olarak, optik (hava fotoğrafı, fotogrametri vb.) ve jeofiziksel (rezistivite, elektrik sondası vb.) yöntemlerle ören yerlerinin saptanması; radyoaktif (Karbon 14-C14, Potasyum-Argon-K/Ar, termolüminesans (TL), elektron spin rezonans -ESP) ve radyoaktif
olmayan (arkeomanyetizma, obsidien hidrasyonu, dendrokronoloji, palinoloji) yöntemlerle yaş saptama ve kesin tarihlendirme yapılması; radyoaktif (nötron aktivasyonu, atomik soğurma spektrometresi vb.) ve bazı fiziksel yöntemlerle (optik mikroskobi, x-ışını floresansı, kızılötesi
soğurma) hammadde saptanması; paleoantropoloji, arkeobotanik, arkeozooloji, toprak analizleri, jeomorfolojik ve jeokronolojik yöntemlerle doğal çevre, biyolojik ortam ve nüfus gibi koşulların belirlenmesi; çeşitli kimyasal ve fiziksel analizlerle onarım ve koruma yapılmasında yardımcı olunması; matematiksel kümeleme ve serileme yöntemleriyle tipolojik
sınıflandırmanın ve teknolojik düzeyin belirlenmesidir.

The frequent occurrence of iron slag in excavation layers at the Gnezdovo settlement’s floodplain area indicates continuous and large-scale ironworking during the 9th-10th centuries. All slag samples were identified as smithing hearth bottoms or slag lamps. Although numerous fragments of bog ore were found, there is no tangible evidence of extractive metallurgy conducted at the site. Due to the poor preservation of other metallurgical objects, such as furnaces, instruments, raw material make slags almost the only reliable evidence of blacksmithing activity. The investigation of smithing slag offers insight into the smithing techniques applied, and, in turn, provides information about the operational chain of the iron production in Gnezdovo.
The multidisciplinary approach adopted in this study included both morphological classification and laboratory analyzes such as optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and X-ray fluorescence. The studied furnace fragments were rich in silica as such items typically are. The diagnostic samples suggested that the small pit forge had been used in Gnezdovo during the 9th-10th centuries. According to the investigation of the iron bars, ancient blacksmiths had treated the wrought iron and different types of steel.
The slag chemical composition was dominated by iron and silicon and it was almost identical in all the samples. The examination of slag microstructure and phase composition revealed heterogeneous structures such as layering in wüstite and fayalite crystals, remnants of added flux (sand), and partially dissolved hammerscales. The heterogeneous structures were consistent with a broad variation of applied smithing techniques, the most common of which were welding and mechanical deformation at different temperatures. Furthermore, based on the analytical data, the samples were grouped into five types reflecting the variations in combining of smithing techniques.
In addition, the study of the provenance of identified slag groups, bars, and furnace fragments revealed a notable change in the workshop activity. At the earlier stage, the workshop had specialized in ferrous metallurgy, and blacksmiths had used a wide range of smithing techniques, which indicates the production of complex artifacts. During the later stages, the workshop had begun to process non-ferrous metal, therefore, the proportion of ironworking associated with high-temperature operations was reduced. Hence, the workshop was focused on the production of simple iron tools or bar smithing.

In this thesis we tried to work out a study, based on the particular record, to perform an analysis of the structural. This inference method builds on the archaeological record and intends to build through it an archaeological and historical proposal for a specific area of the territory of La Rioja, the headwaters of Iregua river. Is confined to a very precise moment of the early Middle Ages, between the second half of the seventh century and the beginning of VIII (640-720). From there it has made the issue has to broader scales of analysis (regional, peninsular, etc.).

Through analysis of one of the sites identified in the archaeological prospection of this territory (the hillfort of "El Castillo de los Monjes") have been observed so indicators that point clear, the military character of this enclave. Some parameters of its construction, such as poliorcetic show constructive patterns of clear Eastern influence, particularly from the Byzantine field. This is included within the debate that currently exists in the Archaeology of early medieval Spanish architecture and its closest possible regarding construction. From there it carried out research proposals to see if it is possible to trace some evidence of "bizantinización" in part of the VII century for the hispanovisigotic society.

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Resumen:

En esta Tesis hemos intentado llevar a cabo un estudio que, partiendo de lo coyuntural, realice un análisis de lo estructural. Este método de inferencia toma como base el registro arqueológico e intenta construir a través de él una propuesta de carácter arqueológico e histórico para una zona concreta del territorio riojano, la cabecera del río Iregua. Está circunscrita a un momento muy preciso de la alta Edad Media, entre la segunda mitad del siglo VII y principios del VIII (640-720). A partir de ahí se han realizado estados de la cuestión para escalas de análisis más amplias (regional, peninsular, etc.).

Tras analizar en profundidad uno de los yacimientos detectados en la prospección arqueológica de ese territorio (el castro de "El Castillo de los Monjes"), se han observado indicadores que apuntan de manera nítida el carácter militar de este enclave. Algunos parámetros de su construcción, como por ejemplo los poliorcéticos, muestran patrones constructivos de clara influencia oriental, concretamente del ámbito bizantino. Ello se incardina dentro del debate que existe actualmente en la Arqueología de la Arquitectura altomedieval hispana y sus posibles referentes constructivos más próximos. A partir de ahí se llevan a cabo propuestas de estudio para observar si es posible rastrear ciertos indicios de bizantinización en parte de la sociedad hispanovisigoda del siglo VII.

The subject of the present analysis are bronze rings (bracelets/armlets?) decorated with a cord ornament, known in archaeological literature as type Șimleul Silvaniei and Rustoiu 3. The paper starts out with an overview of past research on the impact from the Dacian territory on Iron Age inhabitants of Poland since type Șimleul Silvaniei bracelets are an element of this phenomenon. It follows with an analysis of the context of discovery of these ornaments in the area to the north of the Carpathians and the Sudety. Next, insights obtained from this analysis are used as a point of departure to examine the chronology, origin and distribution of type Șimleul Silvaniei in reference to the conclusions of Romanian researchers Aurel Rustoiu and Cristinel C. Plantos.

In this article, results using confocal m-Raman to analyse the cross-section of paint samples are presented. Results obtained with light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with an energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and micro-X-ray fluorescence (m-XRF) are mentioned and compared to the ones obtained with confocal (MRS). In some cases, pigment identification was possible only by combining analytical results from different techniques.

Telah dilakukan serangkaian pengukuran magnetik dan non-magnetik terhadap sembilan belas sampel batuan peridotit dari Desa Awang Bangkal Kabupaten Banjar, Kalimantan Selatan. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk melihat sifat dan karakter mineral penyusun batuan peridotit ini. Beberapa metoda non-magnetik yaitu petrografi dan XRF dilakukan untuk melihat mineral penyusun batuan peridotit. Selain pengukuran non magnetik dilakukan pula pengukuran magnetik yaitu pengukuran suseptibilitas magnetik, pemberian dan peluruhan ARM, pemberian saturasi IRM, serta pengukuran suseptibilitas magnetik sebagai fungsi temperatur rendah pengukuran. Hasil-hasil pengukuran menunjukkan bahwa karakteristik petrografi batuan ini telah terpengaruh oleh tektonik (penggerusan dan pengkekaran) serta proses ubahan dan sangat jarang mineralisasi bijih. Olivin masih merupakan kristal utama penyusun batuan, yang diikuti oleh piroksen ortho serta sangat jarang piroksen klino. Mineral sekunder terbanyak adalah serpentin yang dijumpai cukup merata, mineral-oksida bijih sebagai pengganti dan pengisi kekar dan retakan yang dijumpai tidak merata, mineral lempung pengisi rongga, serta sangat jarang zeolit sebagai pengisi kekar dalam kristal. Hasil uji XRF menunjukkan keterdapatan unsur-unsur kimia oksida utama seperti SiO 2 (37,82%), Fe 2 O 3 (8,48%) dan MgO (38,51%). Intensitas magnetik yang dimiliki batuan ini berkisar 2,68 hingga 5,67 A/m dan mineral utama penyusun batuan peridotit adalah hematit (Fe 2 O 3 ) dan magnetit (Fe 3 O 4 ), sebagaimana yang ditunjukkan dari nilai suseptibilitasnya (22,81 -61,01) × 10 -7 m 3 /kg dan dari medan saturasi IRM yang relatif rendah.

In the past the settlement pattern of middle Holocene Egypt was based on the presence or absence of material correlates including structures, stone tools, pottery, and domesticated plants and animals. Together these formed the traits of a Neolithic package that were thought to spread from southwest Asia to Egypt during the middle Holocene. Modern research now shows that the traits attributed to the Neolithic package did not develop uniformly over time and space, so the package concept is less useful. Contemporary approaches focus on processes such as mobility, occupation duration, and use-of-place to draw inferences about settlement pattern. These are measured through analysis of material culture such as stone artefacts and the placement of features on a landscape. However, more examples are required that use material culture types that are abundant and preserve well, such as pottery. Past research has focused on the analysis of a small proportion of pottery assemblages, typically whole vessels and decorated sherds, both used to form typologies and identify cultural groupings. Similarities in decorative styles or vessel forms are used to infer movement between different cultural groups. However, these culture-historical interpretations mean that large volumes of un-diagnostic sherds are often disregarded. This research uses non-destructive methods, such as x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and fragmentation ratios, to analyse all artefacts in pottery assemblages to understand the impact of the previously noted processes. XRF analysis is used to identify the geochemical signatures of the materials used in pottery manufacture. This analysis enables the identification of pottery that is not likely made locally and so provides a proxy for movement. The differential fragmentation of pottery is used in estimates of how many vessels the sherds in an assemblage represent and so provides a means for assessing occupation duration. Pottery from several places in Egypt that date to the middle Holocene are compared. Results suggest movement between locations beyond what was previously inferred based on culture-historical interpretations. These results are interpreted in the wider North African context.

The tasks and problems which the study of ancient artefacts involves are manifold and almost as numerous as the different classes of materials and objects studied by modern specialists. This happens especially because the conservation of artefacts depends not only on their material and manufacturing techniques, but also very much on the environment and the type of soil in which they were deposited, sometimes for millennia. A number of archaeological materials and objects, dated to different periods, from the earliest use of metals to historical times, and also coming from very different geographical contexts in the whole Ancient World are discussed in this paper. The most common surface analysis methods will be evaluated and discussed in the framework of different applications.

“Arkeometrinin Ortak Çalıştığı Disiplinler, Thera Yanardağı Patlaması Sonuçları ve Bazı Arkeometrik Yöntemler ile Yapılan Çalışmalar ile Elde Edilen Sonuçlar” adlı bu araştırmada, Arkeometriye yardımcı olan disiplinler, Thera yanardağının patlamasına dayalı verilerin sonucu ve bazı arkeometrik yöntemler hakkında bilgi verilmiş ve bu bilgiler hem
detaylandırılarak hem de örneklendirilerek bir sonuca varılmak istenmiştir. Arkeometri, insanlığın kültür tarihini anlamada arkeologlara yardımcı olabilmek için antik eserlerin ve materyallerin pozitif bilim yöntemleriyle incelenmesidir. Arkeometri, geçmiş yaşamı anlamaya ve yeniden kurmaya çalışan arkeolojiye doğru bilgi almasında yardım eden
ve önemi giderek artan bir bilim dalıdır. Arkeometri genel bir tanım olarak, arkeolojinin, doğa bilimleriyle bağlantısını kuran bir yöntemdir ve gelişimi de arkeolojiden çok doğa bilimlerinin gelişmesine bağlıdır. Arkeometri, fiziksel, kimyasal, biyolojik, doğal, jeofizik, matematiksel ve antropolojik bilimleri içeren insan kültür tarihinin disiplinler arası çalışmasıdır. Mutlak
kronolojiler, malzeme analizi, ekolojik etkileşimler, jeofizik araştırmalar, geçim ekonomileri ve koruma için tarihlemeyi içerir. Antik eserlerin nasıl, ne zaman, nerede, kimler tarafından ve ne için yaratıldığını anlayabilmek amacıyla arkeologlar çok çeşitli alanlardan uzman kişilerin yardımını istemektedirler. Arkeometri, fen bilimleriyle arkeolojinin ilişkisine de
denebilir.Arkeometri, geçmiş yaşamı anlamaya ve yeniden kurmaya çalışan arkeolojiye doğru bilgi almasında yardım eden ve önemi giderek artan bir bilim dalıdır. Arkeometri genel bir tanım olarak, arkeolojinin, doğa bilimleriyle bağlantısını kuran bir yöntemdir ve gelişimi de arkeolojiden çok doğa bilimlerinin gelişmesine bağlıdır. Arkeometri, fiziksel, kimyasal, biyolojik, doğal, jeofizik, matematiksel ve antropolojik bilimleri içeren insan kültür tarihinin disiplinler arası çalışmasıdır. Mutlak kronolojiler, malzeme analizi, ekolojik etkileşimler, jeofizik araştırmalar, geçim ekonomileri ve koruma için tarihlemeyi içerir. Arkeometri eski bir
kültürün hakkıyla anlaşılabilmesi, tanımlanabilmesi için, o kültürü meydana getiren insanların, o günkü doğal çevrelerinin, içinde yaşadıkları biyolojik ortamı oluşturan hayvan ve bitki topluluklarının (yani ekolojilerinin), insan, hayvan, bitki ilişkilerinin, ellerindeki kaynaklardan
yararlanma biçim ve derecelerine bağlı olarak ekonomilerinin, teknolojilerinin, sosyal, politik, sanatsal düzeylerinin aydınlatılması gerekmektedir.

Bronze objects from the Noua-Sabatinovka cultural assemblage mainly come from hoards or are stray finds, while being very rarely found in settlements. They are usually represented by pins, awls, chisels, sometimes ornaments, knives, daggers, or socketed axes. In the collection of the National Museum of the History of Moldova, there are over 70 of such objects, some of which have been published. The goal of this paper is the presentation of this collection, as well as the analysis of the chemical composition, which will clarify some issues of the metal spread in the settlements of the Noua-Sabatinovka assemblage on the territory of Moldova. Based on the distribution by categories of the analyzed objects, we can mention that the tools are the most numerous, followed by adornments and a much smaller number of weapons. Very rarely found in archaeological assemblages, these metal objects come in most cases from the cultural layer of the settlements. Excluding uncleaned objects, the lowest content of impurities is documented for a fragment of wire, a pin, a fragment of a bracelet, sewing needle; the highest  – in awls, pins with ring heads, and a knife. At the same time, the average values of tin are almost the same for tools as well as for adornments, while the content of lead, arsenic and antimony is visibly higher only for tools. It should be noted that most of the bronze pieces discovered in the Noua-Sabatinovka settlements are of Western origin, having direct analogues with the types of bronzes from Transylvania, but there are also objects of Eastern origin.

The collection efficiency of two widely used gunshot residue (GSR) collection techniques-carbon-coated adhesive stubs and alcohol swabs-has been compared by counting the number of characteristic GSR particles collected from the firing hand of a shooter after firing one round. Samples were analyzed with both scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-rays by an experienced GSR analyst, and the number of particles on each sample containing Pb, Ba, and Sb counted. The adhesive stubs showed a greater collection efficiency as all 24 samples gave positive results for GSR particles whereas the swabs gave only positive results for half of the 24 samples. Results showed a statistically significant collection efficiency for the stub collection method and likely reasons for this are considered.

In recent years the number of archaeological finds associated with the Celtic presence in the area north of the Carpathians and the Sudety has grown perceptibly. This evidence is helping to validate the claim that the role played by the Celts in shaping the culture of Poland during the La Tène and at the beginning of the Roman Period was much greater than has been supposed in the past. Although the road to reconstructing and correctly evaluating this role still seems a long one there is no doubt that numismatic sources have much to contribute on this subject. An important discovery in this regard was made in the vicinity of Kalisz, Poland, one of the most unexpected archaeological developments recorded in Poland in recent years. It is not an exaggeration to say that this new input represents a qualitative advance in the study of a wide range of issues related to trade exchange, circulation of precious metal coinage, far-ranging contacts, the cultural and even political environment of the people who settled around the turn of the era the region between the Vistula and the Odra river.

Бойко-Гагарин А.С. Состав металла пенязей волынского князя Любарта (1340–1384). Банкаўскі веснік. Материалы Х Международной нумизматической конференции «25 лет белорусской памятной монете». 6-8 октября 2021 г. № 11 (700). Лістапад 2021. Минск: Национальный банк Республики Беларусь, 2021. С. 29-30.

In recent years, several groups of archaeological metal finds from the areas around the southeastern Alps, dated between Bronze Age and Roman times, have been scientifically analysed (by ICP, AAS and/or XRF) within the framework of different projects. The data now available give a fairly good general picture of the evolution and development of metallurgy in this area and seem to indicate that the region played an important role in the exchange of objects and raw materials over many centuries. The significance of some of the metal finds, which are particularly relevant for this research, is discussed.

The present study is a multi-analytical approach on the characterization of several potsherd samples, dated from prehistoric to hellenistic times, from Aiani, ancient Upper Macedonia, northern Greece. In particular, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and

In routine examination of inks on questioned documents non-destructive analytical methods, such as microscopic and optical techniques are applied first. However, they are often insufficient to identify the inks used for the preparation of the document. In such cases, it is necessary to apply chemical methods that normally cause partial destruction of the examined material. The aim of this work was to evaluate the possibility of discrimination between inks by the use of spectrometric methods, i.e. micro-FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and XRF. About 70 samples of blue and black ballpoint pen and gel inks were examined. It was found that about 90% of the samples of the same type and colour could be distinguished using these methods. #

A series of well-characterized specimens, known as the Peabody-Yale Reference Obsidians (PYRO) sets, has been designed to aid with calibrating and assessing X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) data, including portable XRF (pXRF) measurements, for obsidian sourcing. Each of these ten matched sets consists of 35 specimens: 20 specimens for calibration and 15 specimens for evaluation. These sets include not only obsidians with common geochemical compositions (i.e., alkaline rhyolites) but also rarer ones (i.e., peralkaline rhyolitic, trachytic, and andesitic specimens, including East African Rift obsidians). When used as described, the PYRO sets are suitable to calibrate and evaluate XRF data for obsidians worldwide. A set can be borrowed following loan policies of the Peabody Museum of Natural History, which will also accession a set. Publishing all source information – from their names and GPS coordinates to the datasets used for the recommended values – not only allows the sets to be replicated by others but also fulfills the demands of scientific transparency. Their main purpose is facilitating collaborations and “big data” projects, and the PYRO sets were designed to complement existing protocols for calibration and evaluation. In short, the sets are intended as a tool for almost anyone (e.g., a student who borrows an instrument to source artifacts) to meet – and even exceed – experts' practices involving transparency, accuracy, and reproducibility.

An unusual metallic pigment was identified on an ancient Italian manuscript containing the Homilies on the Gospels of Gregory the Great, belonging to the Archive and Chapter Library of Vercelli (Italy) and datable to the IX century. Green uncial text and part of decoration on this manuscript were described as ‘being of golden fashion’ in a book written at the beginning of XX century. Investigations carried out with portable XRF and Raman instruments revealed that the green colouration is actually the result of a marked degradation process that has altered the original composition of the pigment, an alloy of copper, lead and zinc. Probably because of the conditions of storage of the manuscript, the pigment tarnished owing a chemical process that could resemble the infamous ‘bronze disease’: that is, the conversion of metallic copper into inorganic salts. Measurements were performed both in situ, i.e. directly on the manuscript, and on small fragments of ink collected from the page gutters. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Archaeology has been called ‘the science of the artefact’ and nothing demonstrates this point better than  the current interest displayed in provenance studies of archaeological objects. In theory, every vessel carries a chemical compositional pattern or ‘fingerprint’ identical with the clay from which it was made and this relationship is basic to provenance studies. The reasoning behind provenance or sourcing studies is to probe into the past and attempt to re-create prehistory by obtaining information on exchange and social interaction. This paper discusses the use of XRF spectrometry for the analysis of ancient pottery and ceramics to examine whether it is possible to predict prehistoric cultural exchanges.