The results of the analyses of elemental composition of red and black pigments of Levantine rock art from La Saltadora rock shelters (Valltorta gorge, Castellón, Spain) are presented in this paper. Nondestructive analyses were carried out using a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer developed for in situ analysis. The results revealed the strong presence of calcium in all the analyzed locations due to the contribution of the underlying calcareous bedrock and the overlying crust. Iron is the main element detected in red pigments and manganese in black pigments. Iron and calcium ratios have been found indicative of the degree of preservation of the pictorial layer. Trace elements detected in the pigment composition confirm the use of different raw materials. Therefore, this work illustrates the potential of the portable EDXRF spectrometers for in situ analysis of rock art paintings.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

In a joint experiment the TAPS and CERES collaborations have studied the production of the neutral mesons and in 450 GeV p-Be and p-Au collisions at the CERN SPS. The mesons were identified by their , , and decay modes. The cross sections were measured down to very low ( 20 MeV/c) near mid-rapidity (). The and cross sections are smaller than expected from extrapolations of earlier data to low . Integrated over all , the ratios and / are lower by about 25% compared to previously published values. The reduction may be attributed to the large number of low pions from decays of heavier mesons. In addition, we have studied the dependence of neutral meson production on the mass of the nuclear target and find it in good agreement with previous measurements of charged mesons

Nowadays there is an intensive program for the conservation, restoration and analysis of the impressive and extensive Spanish cultural heritage. In the last few years, the Unidad de Arqueometria of the ICMUV has carry out a great quantity of in situ EDXRF analysis of pigments on materials of historic and cultural interest (altarpieces, frescoes, canvas, sculptures, etc.) from museums and churches of the whole of the Spanish geography. Here we present a few examples of the analysis of works of art using x‐ray fluorescence spectrometry with a portable system based on x‐ray tubes and a non‐cryogenic Si‐PIN detector. EDXRF qualitative and non‐destructive analyses of stone, pigments and preparation layer of a polychrome sculpture from the Iberian period are compared with results obtained with destructive analytical techniques. The identification of inorganic key elements in a mural painting from the 14th and 15th centuries allowed the characterization of the pigments and techniques used by the artists and were a great help in the restoration process. The EDXRF analysis of a partially burnt medieval altarpiece allowed us to establish the elemental composition of the pigments from damaged and non‐damaged areas. Finally, we present part of the systematic EDXRF analysis of the pigments on canvas from the work of Joaquín Sorolla with the objective of constructing a wide database on their pictorial materials. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The purpose of this work is the application of non‐destructive analysis to differentiate underglaze and overglaze techniques used in the decoration of glazed ceramics from Valencia (Spain). This study was carried out by portable EDXRF spectrometry using an X‐ray tube and a thermoelectrically cooled semiconductor detector. From the EDXRF spectra we have identified the main elements present in the tin‐opacified lead glaze and in the cobalt pigments. The identification of the underglaze and overglaze decoration is based on the different ratios between the fluorescence line of the main component of the glaze (Pb‐Lα line) and the fluorescence lines of the main components of the pigment (Co‐Kα, Mn‐Kα, Ni‐Kα, … lines) when the incident angle of the X‐ray beam varies. If the position of the detector is fixed, these ratios (Pb/Co, Pb/Mn, Pb/Ni, …) increase with the angle for underglaze decoration, and decrease for overglaze decoration. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.