Background: Archaeological metallic artefacts buried in soils deteriorate by means of various environmental as well as internal factors and mechanisms over time such as change in composition and microstructure of metal and corrosive factors due to long-term burial environment. Corrosion in metals occurs in different morphologies and results in different types of corrosion products based on soil composition. Identification of corrosion mechanisms and morphology in archaeological metals can help conservators to characterize deterioration occurred in metals and make decisions to protect artefacts about preventing further deterioration. In archaeological bronzes, different layers may form on the surface of artefacts and their composition, depth and shape depends on factors noted above. Results: In this paper, results of investigation carried out on ancient bronzes discovered from Haft Tappeh archaeological site, southwestern Iran, are presented. The ancient bronze samples are dated to the Middle Elamite period about 14th century BC. Some of the Haft Tappeh bronze artefacts corroded completely and a multilayer structure has formed. To study the stratigraphy of corrosion layers and their composition, some bronze artefacts have been analyzed using SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersive Spectrometry) and Optical Microscopy analyses. The results show difference between the amount of Cu and Sn in layers that may follow from copper leaching from inner layers and formation of copper trihydroxychlorides because of bronze disease.

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Visible damage on the surface of historic glass, iridescence, is developed by the influence of environmental factors during time. Iridescence is usually considered as an age indicator in historic glass. Samples from the ancient Sasanian historic site called "Tomb-e Pargan" in the Boushehr Province of Iran were subjected to microscopic analyzing with ESEM, ICP-OES, and polarization microscopy to characterize structural damages and its impact on the surface deposition. Chemical-mineralogical studies were also performed. The current investigation suggests that the iridescent layer is developed as the result of alkali ion depletion on the glass surface following the formation of a shelly layer. Due to the porosity of ancient glass surface, ions migrate and deposit continuously on the surface in the form of crust. The phenomenon causes fine lamellar structure on the surface. Samples from Tomb-e Pargan characteristically contain potassium and magnesium.

Ceramic technology is civilisation's oldest tradition and one of our most current areas of knowledge. Pottery, ceramics, and their industrial production materials have been rooted in the historical and cultural structure of a nation and civilisation for thousands of years and retain their importance today. The origin of the surveyed material in this paper relates to areas of the Elamite Period (1500 BC) in South-West Iran 10 The main purpose of the identification is to pay attention to the textural formation of the material, which is dependent on the mineralogical chemical performance in such systems. In this investigation, the texture of damage and phase segregation was determined. The phase analyses of crystalline composition were determined by quantitative X-ray powder diffraction (QXRD) measurements with Rietveld refinement. 16 The results were matched with microscopic methods in order to arrive at a chemical petrological conclusion. The chemical compositions of the phases and the variation of elements between boundaries and the core were obtained by correlation of QXRD and X-ray fluorescence results and verified through EDX measurements. According to XRD polarisation microscopy studies, the research materials can be divided into two groups according to their matrix structure. 19 The first group displays a calcareous matrix, which mainly consists of CaCO 3 with a minor content of SiO 2 . The second group consists mainly of SiO 2 and other silica compositions, such as alkali-feldspars, plagioclases and pyroxene. With respect to thermodynamic stability of pyroxene, the stability area of the solid solution in such systems varies between 750 and 870uC. Here, AFM in non-contact mode was carried out. The aim of this combined method was to confirm the damage process with regard to the structural conversion in the interface between selected minerals and the matrix (quartz, plagioclase, Kali-feldspar). Thus it was ultimately possible to obtain a quantitative characterisation of the micro-and nanostructure of these historical materials. As a result of this data, it is possible to define much more precise requirements for modern methods of restoration of materials, 12 in order to gain higher durability and rentability cycles.It is possible to explain the techniques which have been used in ancient times in terms of material science methods, with the so called 'ceramography'. In fact, the word ceramic is of Greek origin and means potter's earth; however the tradition is much older. Traditional ceramics are those derived from naturally occurring raw materials and include clay based products. These were the most readily available raw materials for the ancient potters. It means that pottering might be actually the human development reference. Ceramics were the first products of people who sought materials which were required to demonstrate good plasticity behaviour in forming, high durability during firing, and an aesthetically pleasing end result. Emami et al. Surface modification of ancient ceramics by means of CLSM, AFM a...

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