Mobile Spectroscopic Instrumentation in Archaeometry Research

Abstract

Mobile instrumentation is of growing importance to archaeometry research. Equipment is utilized in the field or at museums, thus avoiding transportation or risk of damage to valuable artifacts. Many spectroscopic techniques are nondestructive and micro-destructive in nature, which preserves the cultural heritage objects themselves. This review includes over 160 references pertaining to the use of mobile spectroscopy for archaeometry. Following a discussion of terminology related to mobile instrumental methods, results of a literature survey on their applications for cultural heritage objects is presented. Sections devoted to specific techniques are then provided: Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, and less frequently used techniques. The review closes with a discussion of combined instrumental approaches.

Raman and Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopies reveal medieval Hispano–Muslim wood painting techniques and provide new insights into red lead production technology

“…[25] These findings were confirmed by the results obtained using infrared microspectroscopy. In Figure 4d, the infrared spectrum recorded in the white layer shows a broad band at 1,398 cm −1 due to CO 3 2− stretching of white lead together with typical bands of proteins. These can be better seen in areas where the organic binder was isolated from the pigments with the help of the diamond compression cell.…”

“…The investigation of the materials employed by the artists in the context of cultural heritage has evolved in the last years trying to find the more convenient analytical techniques to provide as much information as possible with the less invasive intervention. [1][2][3] Vibrational spectroscopies are among the most adequate approaches because of their multiple advantages in comparison with other spectroscopic or chromatographic analytical techniques. For example, the molecular and structural information provided by infrared and Raman spectroscopies yields more conclusive results than those obtained if just the elemental composition is retrieved.…”

On‐site Raman study of artwork: Procedure and illustrative examples

“…[34,35] Some papers have already discussed the use of transportable, mobile/portable, and handheld/ palm instruments. [36][37][38][39][40][41][42] Special attention will be given to the experimental procedures (collection of the spectra procedure, choice of the laser wavelength and of the optics) and to the importance of some spectrometer characteristics (spectral and spatial/volume resolution, detection of broad bands, band area measurements, etc.) in order to be able to study the vibrational signature of complex multiphased materials made of both broad and narrow components.…”

Characterization of Roman glass tesserae from the Coriglia excavation site (Italy) via energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy

“…Recent examples include X-ray fluorescence spectrometry [9][10][11][12], Raman spectroscopy [12,13], inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry [1], laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry [7,14,15], inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy [2], scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy [3,7,11,16], X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy [10], particle-induced X-ray/ gamma ray emission [3,10], laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy [17,18], electron microprobe analysis [16,19], and X-ray powder diffraction [16]. Some of these studies were conducted with portable instrumentation, thus permitting on-site and/or in situ analyses of the artifacts [9][10][11][12][13]20]. And most research campaigns utilized multiple, complimentary techniques to more completely characterize and understand the materials.…”