Atomic Absorption Techniques in Archaeology

A selection of samples, obtained from a particular copper-alloy domestic artefact of Roman style from Pompeii, has been analysed by using different techniques (IR, Raman, SEM-EDX, FAAS), in order to investigate the chemical nature and composition of the metals utilised for such manufacturing pieces. The surface analysis of the bright red metallic microfragments conducted by different analytical techniques, emphasises the presence of pure unalloyed copper and confirms the absence of other metallic species on the upper layers. On the contrary, the mapping analysis of the section of the laminar metal of the investigated sample shows a consistent enrichment in tin content. Finally, destructive analysis by FAAS confirms that the artefact looks like a bronze metal alloy, with a medium Sn content of about 6.5%.

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“…8 In our specific experimental conditions, no precipitates (i.e. metastannic acid) have been observed.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation on a Roman Copper Alloy Artefact from Pompeii (Italy)

Baraldi

Ferrari

et al. 2006

Annali di Chimica

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“…The moulds were sampled by drilling with a size 60 (1mm diameter) steel bit and typically between 10 and 20mgm of clean turnings were collected for analysis. The analyses were carried out by atomic absorption spectrometry using the methodology described in Hughes et al (1976). The analyses have a precision of +/-2% for the copper, tin and lead content, and approximately +/-10-30% for the trace elements, the precision deteriorating as the detection limit was approached.…”

Section: Appendicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Material Genealogies: Bronze Moulds and their Castings in Later Bronze Age Britain

Webley¹,

Adams²

2016

Proc. Prehist. Soc.

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“…The first type represents the groundwater samples which were collected from the well inside the temple, in addition to other four wells outside the temple. These samples were treated and submitted to AAS investigations and chemical titrations according to Hughes et al (1976) to define the their qualitative and quantitative properties. Furthermore, some water samples were evaporate and fully dried, then analyzed by XRD according to Soukup et al (2008) to define the relation between the dominated minerals both in the water and the weathering products.…”

Section: Sample Criteria Analytical Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within the same context, there are wide range of analytical techniques which may be used for explaining materials deterioration depending on the type of information needed. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) technique has been applied to analyze the sample's chemistry because it has a number of features which make it particularly appropriate to such analysis (Hughes et al 1976). Furthermore, it can determine a wide range of elements, concentrations in parts per million provided by quite accurate results even with quite small samples compared to other techniques (Beaty and Kerber 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A holistic approach to the assessment of the groundwater destructive effects on stone decay in Edfu temple using AAS, SEM-EDX and XRD

El-Gohary

2015

Environ Earth Sci

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The objective of this study is to investigate the groundwater influences on sandstone in Horus temple, in addition to studying the deterioration processes affecting the temple building materials. Specific investigations were carried out to measure the groundwater features and quality both inside and outside the temple to evaluate the resulted deterioration processes. Our results argue that the temple was built on a hill of silt and clay belonging to the Cretaceous Era; it rises on the south part of the Nile valley far from the Nile for about 1200 m. Groundwater quality is strongly influenced by the dominating minerals and stone aquifer affected by three major water sources. The temple faces many deterioration processes due to the effect of groundwater characterized by high salinity index. These processes led finally to two main mechanisms, (the first related to micro-deterioration and the second resulting from structural defects). These mechanisms affirmed that the stone building materials were highly characterized by weakness, fracture, disintegration, cracks and crevices collapsing of their components. Furthermore, the dominating major salt species are halite, gypsum, sylvite and thenardite and minor quantities of carbonates and bi-carbonates, in addition to phosphate as or trace constituents.

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Atomic Absorption Techniques in Archaeology

Cited by 108 publications

References 21 publications

Investigation on a Roman Copper Alloy Artefact from Pompeii (Italy)

Investigation on a Roman Copper Alloy Artefact from Pompeii (Italy)

Material Genealogies: Bronze Moulds and their Castings in Later Bronze Age Britain

A holistic approach to the assessment of the groundwater destructive effects on stone decay in Edfu temple using AAS, SEM-EDX and XRD

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