Archaeometric and Chemometric Studies Involved in the Authentication of Old Heritage Artefacts I. Contributions of the Iasi school of Conservation Science

Abstract

The paper presents the results obtained in the study of new archaeometric and chemometric characteristics involved in the authentication of old artefacts made of metal, ceramics and polychrome wood, by the Iasi school of Conservation Science of cultural heritage goods. Most of the metal and ceramic artefacts considered for this study originate from archaeological sites from the region of Moldavia and Dobrudja, and those of polychrome wood from state or private collections and monastic establishments. The data obtained, using modern experimental methods and techniques, has allowed us to set the fundaments of phenomenological aspects related to the conception/execution, acquired patina, evolutive effects of deterioration and degradation, historical contexts, etc. These discoveries have been acknowledged as interdisciplinary effects, as evidenced by the citations listed in scientometric databases.

Archaeometric and Chemometric Studies Involved in the Authentication of Old Heritage Artefacts II. Old linden and poplar wood put into work

“…Authenticity is the essential aspect of an object of cultural, artistic and historical heritage, which in general requires the establishment of uniqueness and refers to the quality of being genuine and original, as it was put into the work and marked by the time that passed from the moment of conception, as a unique, a copy or an alternative/ replacement. Copies and alternatives may belong to the author, the school (apprentices or disciples), the age, but also to the later periods, and may be executed either in the same artistic technique as the original or in a more modern technique but close to plastic virtues [1][2][3][4][5].…”

“…It should be emphasized that authenticity depends on how the object is defined and can be understood differently, depending on the context. To be authentic, an object must be intact, as it was created, or as a result of the passage of time [6][7][8][9].…”

“…There are several attributes that compete to establish authenticity as a heritage element that is considered in investigating/researching, preserving, restoring and displaying a work of art, namely: conception/author/dating, material, artistic technique, implementation technology, the environment of creation, use (wear) and the area of use, owner, custodian, museum, transfer and/or itinerary [4,5].…”

“…The first ones, along with the originality of the material and the technology of putting it into practice, are references to other types of authenticity, which, together with paternity, value share, ranking, and age form the group of patrimonial elements or patrimonial features, that characterize and differentiate an object. Also, the traces of time passage, historical wear and use, are part of the historical stratification, translated by the patina and fix the object in time and space, making it unique [4][5][6][7][8][9].…”

“…Authentication expertise through their implications, either in the field of valuation of cultural-artistic heritage assets (artometry or artefactometry) and technical-* email: viorica_18v@yahoo.com; ion.sandu@uaic.ro scientific (technometry and scientometry), either as a means of proof or evidence in forensic (graphometry, bibliometry, traceometry, amprento-or dactilometry, somatometry, biometry/anthropometry and others) require interdisciplinary knowledge [8,9].…”