Analysis of Sagunto Ibero-Roman votive bronze statuettes by portable X-ray fluorescence

Abstract

The main objective of this work was the study of chemical composition of an important collection of Ibero-Roman votive bronze statuettes exposed in the Archaeological Museum of Sagunto (Spain). Precision and accuracy of the measurements were obtained developing a proper analytical method, also avoiding any possible damage to the studied objects using a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence system. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to discriminate between groups based on ratios Fe/Cu, Pb/Cu, Sn/Cu, Ag/Cu, Ni/Cu and Impurities/Cu were employed to observe differences between the used smelting, manufacturing processes and raw materials. The characterisation of bronze statuettes cross-referenced with archaeological data, gave important suggestions to clarify issues regarding manufacturing processes, quality and chronologies of the studied objects.

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in the analysis of metals, chemicals and materials

“…Analytical data treated using PCA. It was possible to differentiate the statues according to their smelting and manufacturing processes as well as their chronology354 Applications of the analysis of organic cultural heritage samples XRF visualised secondary interventions and gave rise to analytical information from all layers including the ivory itself. Micro-XRD was utilised to identify the phase composition as well as the crystal structure of the pigments.…”