Micro-X-ray computer tomography in archaeology: analyses of a Bronze Age sword

Mödlinger, Marianne

doi:10.1784/insi.2008.50.6.323

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…This fracture was most likely the result of low casting quality. 4 We were only allowed to sample the blade of the sword in question. Its chemical composition was analyzed by means of an electron-probe microanalyzer (EPMA) equipped (Cameca SX 100; Cameca SAS, Gennevilliers Cedex, France) with four wavelength-dispersive spectrometers and an energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy system for high-quality mineral and alloy quantitative chemical analyses (EMPA).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It revealed a binary alloy of copper with 10.4 wt.% Sn and traces of iron and sulfur. 4 The alloy composition of the sword hilt, however, remains uncertain because sampling was not permitted. In addition, the hilt is completely corroded, so noninvasive surface measurements would not be precise because influenced by the presence of corrosion layers that cannot be removed.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4 As shown in Fig. 3, the original hilt is not complete: A part of the pommel disk is missing and most of the surface is degraded by corrosion.…”

Section: Simulation Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Casting Simulation of an Austrian Bronze Age Sword Hilt

Pola¹,

Mödlinger²,

Piccardo³

et al. 2015

JOM

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Bronze Age swords with a metal hilt can be considered the peak of Bronze Age casting technologies. To reconstruct the casting techniques used more than 3000 years ago, a metal hilted sword of the Schalenknauf type from Lower Austria was studied with the aid of macroscopic analyses and simulation of mold filling and casting solidification. A three-dimensional model of the hilt was created based on optical scanner measurements performed on a hilt recently discovered during archaeological excavations. Three different configurations of the gating system were considered, two on the pommel disk and one on the knob, and the effect of its location on the formation of casting defects was investigated. Three-dimensional computed tomography was used to detect internal defects, such as gas and shrinkage porosity, which were then compared with those calculated by simulation. The best match between actual and predicted hilt quality demonstrated the location of the gating system, which turned out to be on the pommel dis

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Casting Simulation of an Austrian Bronze Age Sword Hilt

Pola¹,

Mödlinger²,

Piccardo³

et al. 2015

JOM

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“…Computed Tomography contributes to the analysis of the "chaîne opératoire" of artefacts, especially in bronze or iron. It provides a complete visual of the artefact its structure thus accessing pertinent information for its technological study, which differs from a more superficial analysis restricted to the study of the object and the surface marks linked to its manufacture (Mödlinger 2008;Stelzner 2016;. This new method gives us the opportunity to see objects in 3D and to understand the detail of their internal structure.…”

Section: Computed Tomography (Ct-scan)mentioning

confidence: 99%

The protohistoric sword from Le Gué-de-Velluire (Vendée, France): A pasticcio’s history unveiled by archaeometrical research

Dumont

Dupuy²,

Nicolas

et al. 2020

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

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The Gué-de-Velluire sword (Vendée, France) is part of the Rochebrune collection collected during the 19 th and the 20 th centuries and now preserved in the Dobrée Museum in Nantes (Loire-Atlantique, France). The unusual shape of its hilt, its uncorroded rivets and the rather uncommon combination of a bronze grip with an iron blade made this sword an exceptional object. It has been depicted in a large number of papers since the 20 th century, but the question of its authenticity has hardly ever been tackled. New analyses performed with the support of the Dobrée Museum, the Arc'Antique laboratory and Ghent University delivered new data enabling us to discuss this delicate question. First, a CT-scan of the sword was performed by the BCRX company (Mordelles, Ille-et-Vilaine, France), offering the opportunity to visualise the inner structure of the hilt and especially the way it is fixed to the iron blade. Secondly, X-Ray Fluorescence analyses were performed by the Arc'Antique laboratory (Nantes, Loire-Atlantique, France) to determine the composition of the different parts of the sword (hilt, rivets and blade). Comparing the results of both analyses with Rochebrune's archives allowed us to assert this weapon is a fake, most likely consisting of two authentic archaeological artefacts, and to reconstruct its production process, shedding light on early 20 th century collector's practices.

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“…L'utilisation de la tomodensitométrie pour analyser des mobiliers archéologiques reste actuellement limitée. Les exemples de son application au patrimoine culturel portent essentiellement sur des momies et des squelettes humains ou animaux (Houle-Wierzbicki et al, 2015 ;Xiujie et al 2009 ;Ikram et al 2015), ou sur des objets exceptionnels (Mödlinger 2008 ;Hassmann et al 2012) ; peu de travaux examinent les autres types de mobilier (Huisman et al 2014;Lee et al 2008 ;Treyvaud 2010 ;Treyvaud et al 2013). Ces dernières années, l'usage de cette technologie s'est néanmoins développé dans le domaine d'étude des incinérations (Anderson & Fell 1995 ;Harvig et al 2012 ;Harvig & Lynnerup 2013 ;Le Puil-Texier et al 2015 ;Minozzi et al 2010) et lors de découvertes d'ensembles particulièrement complexes nécessitant des prélèvements en « bloc », souvent en lien avec des opérations de conservation ou de fouilles complexes (Stelzner et al 2010 ;Re et al 2015).…”

Section: La Tomodensitométrieunclassified