Archaeometric analysis of the “Jehoash Inscription” tablet

Environmental dust: A tool to study the patina of ancient artifacts

“…It should be pointed out that in all three cases a principal argument against authenticity of artifacts from Jerusalem was the presence of marine fossils within their patinas. An example of this problem can be found in the study of the patina of the tablet with the inscription referring to King Jehoash (Ilani et al, 2002(Ilani et al, , 2008. Though its provenance is not readily verifiable, its historical significance is potentially of tremendous importance.…”

“…Previous work in this field has been sparse. Goren et al (2004) and Ilani et al (2008) have applied this technique with promising results.…”

Biblical Events and Environments – Authentification of Controversial Archaeological Artifacts

“…They suggest that the powdered chalk was immersed in boiling water, mixed with the red clay, the carbonized vegetal matter and some gold powder, and applied over the freshly engraved inscription. Ilani et al (2008) argue that it is possible to explain the depleted d 18 O values (À8.4% and À7.3%) in different lines, such as by thermal metamorphism that occurs in lime-rich soils decarbonation. For comparison are shown patinas from ossuaries.…”

“…The siliceous composition of the patina is similar to that of the arkosic sandstone of the Tablet but with some differences; the patina is enriched relatively to the host stone by about 12% Fe 2 O 3 and 4% CaO and depleted in K and Al. In a more recent publication, Ilani et al (2008) strengthened their arguments about the antiquity of the patina, thus the authenticity of the inscription and conclude (1) the patina covers the rock surfaces and inscription grooves post-dating the incised inscription as well as a fissure that runs across the stone and several of Figures 1, 8, 9, www.maney.co.uk/journals/tav and www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ maney/tav, with permission from Maney Publishing. The conventional radiocarbon age was 2250 AE 40 BP (2s calibrated age: 390-200 BCE).…”

Patinas developed in environmental burial conditions: the Neolithic steles of Reguers de Seró (Lleida, Spain)

“…Only very few studies deal with the development of patinas in other rock types (e.g. Ilani et al 2002Ilani et al , 2008.…”