Microchemical characterisation of natural gold and artefact gold as a tool for provenancing prehistoric gold artefacts: A case study in Ireland

Chapman, Robert J.; Leake, R. C.; Warner, Richard A.; Cahill, Mary; Moles, Norman; Shell, Colin; Taylor, Joan

doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2006.01.007

Cited by 39 publications

(56 citation statements)

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“…6) is principally associated with Late Proterozoic basement or associated Lower Palaeozoic crustal Pb (source 1). SET placer gold records the sulphide-sulpharsenide inclusion suite and simple Au-Ag alloy typical of orogenic mineralisation, alongside copper contents up to 0.19 % (Chapman et al, 2006). Gold grains from this region can also include Ni-rich inclusions that suggest associations with ultramafics, consistent with contributions from Lower Palaeozoic sequences that contain arc-related and ultramafic formations (Max et al, 1990 Fig.…”

Section: Early and Late Caledonian Set Mineralisation And Radiogenic mentioning

confidence: 89%

“…A gold alloy characterised by relative high levels of Cu and containing Cu sulphide inclusions from Balwoges, Co. Donegal is most likely related to a local porphyry stock. The occasional presence of Te-bearing minerals as inclusions at localities in Wexford and Wicklow was cited as evidence of a magmatic influence (Chapman et al, 2006), however subsequent regional scale studies in the Yukon Canada have shown that the presence of some Te-bearing minerals as inclusions (including Bi-Te) is not diagnostic of a magmatic association (Chapman et al, 2010(Chapman et al, , 2011. Nevertheless, the strong Bi-Te signature in placer gold at Curraghinalt is consistent with a magmatic influence which accords with the conclusions from previous studies Parnell et al, 2000), and this association most likely relates to the source rocks involved.…”

Section: Gold Mineralisation In Irelandmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chapman et al (2000aChapman et al ( , 2000bChapman et al ( , 2006 re-sampled some of these to generate a regional overview of Irish gold mineralisation. Alloy and mineral inclusion signatures of placer gold populations were compared with those from some Irish lode localities and gold compositional data worldwide.…”

Section: Gold Mineralisation In Irelandmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The genesis of gold mineralisation hosted by orogenic belts: A lead isotope investigation of Irish gold deposits

et al. 2014

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Lead isotope analyses have been performed on 109 gold and 23 sulphide samples from 34 Irish gold occurrences, including 27 placers, and used to shed light on the sources of mineralising fluids and metals associated with gold mineralisation hosted by orogenic belts. The Pb isotope ratios of lode and placer gold range from 206 Pb/ 204 Pb = 17. 287-18.679, 207 Pb/ 204 and 208 Pb/ 204 Pb = 37.517-38.635, consistent with the Pb isotopic data on previously reported Irish sulphide mineralisation. There is no evidence that gold mineralisation is associated with distinctive source regions, and it appears to have been derived from similar sources to those responsible for the widespread sulphide mineralisation in Ireland. It is inferred that the principal controls on the Au mineralisation are structural and not related to the distribution of Au in their source rocks. The range of Pb isotope ratios favours the interaction of multiple source reservoirs predominantly during the Caledonian Orogeny (c.475-380 Ma). Underlying basement was the primary control on two key sources of Pb. Gold occurrences located to the south-east of the Iapetus Suture are characterised by Pb compositions that derive predominantly from the Late Proterozoic crustal basement or overlying Lower Palaeozoic sediments, whilst those located north-west of the Iapetus Suture are characterised by less radiogenic Pb signatures derived predominantly from Late Proterozoic or older crustal basement. A third source, relatively enriched in radiogenic Pb, also played a role in the formation of a number of Irish gold occurrences, and may have been associated with syn-to postorogenic intrusives. Magmatic processes may therefore have played an important role in the formation of some gold occurrences located in orogenic settings.

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Section: Early and Late Caledonian Set Mineralisation And Radiogenic mentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Gold Mineralisation In Irelandmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The genesis of gold mineralisation hosted by orogenic belts: A lead isotope investigation of Irish gold deposits

et al. 2014

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“…he most frequently used techniques are inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and proton activation analysis. However, there is still a need to characterise natural gold, despite the work that has been undertaken, particularly in Ireland, where the study of gold has traditionally been a topic of 'national interest' (Chapman et al, 2006). Other recent research has centred on the analysis of osmium isotope ratios for those samples of gold that display metal inclusions belonging to the platinum group (Junk and Pernicka, 2003); lead isotope signatures have been used for Au-Ag-Cu alloys with a gold content of more than 70% (Bendall et al, 2009).…”

Section: And the Future?…mentioning

confidence: 99%

Wands in the hand! Or Potter’s powers

Perea¹

2009

archeosciences

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“…In the case of ICP-based techniques, ICP-AES and ICP-OES can only be achieved with the removal of a sample and only few applications are known for gold alloys. 53 ICP-MS can be carried out, in some particular cases, by dissolution of a sample of a few milligrams 54 or by laser ablation; 55 (LA-ICP-MS) only a small number of applications to goldwork are known (for example, Refs 25,[56][57][58][59][60] as this technique is constrained by the volume of the ablation cell. Figure 5 shows the comparison of detection limits in the case of gold analysis for all the cited techniques except XRF and SEM-EDX, which typically determine major elements in gold.…”

Section: Elemental Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

An overview on the ancient goldsmith's skill and the circulation of gold in the past: the role of x‐ray based techniques

Guerra

2008

X-Ray Spectrometry

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From the study of coins and casted simple objects to intricate jewellery comprising many diverse parts joined together, analytical queries on ancient goldwork concern the description of the manufacturing techniques, the identification of the authenticity and the localisation of the exploited sources of gold. Through the examination of the objects by x-ray radiography and the non-destructive elemental analysis of the gold alloys -by XRF, SEM-EDX, PIXE and SR-XRF, x-ray based techniques have always played an important role in the study of cultural heritage and, in particular, of goldwork.The aim of this article is to give a short overview of the use of the most established scientific-based techniques in the study of goldwork, with special outlining on the limitations, advantages and applications of x-ray based techniques. Two applications illustrate both the potential of examination techniques to identify the authenticity of gold jewellery and the importance of combining examination techniques and elemental analysis to describe the fabrication stages of goldwork. At last, a third example shows the significant socio-economical assumptions developed by determining the characteristic trace elements of gold when coinages are considered.

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Microchemical characterisation of natural gold and artefact gold as a tool for provenancing prehistoric gold artefacts: A case study in Ireland

Cited by 39 publications

References 13 publications

The genesis of gold mineralisation hosted by orogenic belts: A lead isotope investigation of Irish gold deposits

The genesis of gold mineralisation hosted by orogenic belts: A lead isotope investigation of Irish gold deposits

Wands in the hand! Or Potter’s powers

An overview on the ancient goldsmith's skill and the circulation of gold in the past: the role of x‐ray based techniques

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