A multitechnique study of archeological bronzes

We used XPS, X-AES, synchrotron radiation-induced total electron yield X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), synchrotron radiation-induced photoelectron microscopy (PEM), and electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) techniques to explore the elemental and microchemical properties of two tin-bronzes (denot...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Northover, P, Crossley, A, Grazioli, C, Zema, N, La Rosa, S, Lozzi, L, Picozzi, P, Paparazzo, E
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 2008
_version_ 1797084026816692224
author Northover, P
Crossley, A
Grazioli, C
Zema, N
La Rosa, S
Lozzi, L
Picozzi, P
Paparazzo, E
author_facet Northover, P
Crossley, A
Grazioli, C
Zema, N
La Rosa, S
Lozzi, L
Picozzi, P
Paparazzo, E
author_sort Northover, P
collection OXFORD
description We used XPS, X-AES, synchrotron radiation-induced total electron yield X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), synchrotron radiation-induced photoelectron microscopy (PEM), and electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) techniques to explore the elemental and microchemical properties of two tin-bronzes (denoted A and B) found at a necropolis located in Fossa (Abruzzo, Italy), and dating from the late ninth century B.C. EPMA shows that the bulk elemental composition of the two bronzes is very much alike as far as the leading metals are concerned, whereas the main differences are limited to the composition of trace elements (A is notably richer in Pb and much poorer in Co). PEM highlights lateral chemical inhomogeneities with a spatial resolution in the submicron range. X-AES Cu L3 MM spectra show that the content of metallic copper is more abundant in the surface region of A than in B. XPS finds that the amount of carbon-bearing species is about 40% more abundant in the former sample. A significant enrichment of metallic copper at the surface of the same bronze is confirmed by XAS Cu L2,3 edge experiments. We interpret the 'high' carbon content found at the surface of bronze A as arising from intentional rubbing with organic substances, e.g. oil. The fact that the same bronze features a higher 'metallization' of surface copper suggests that such a procedure proved successful in minimizing the oxidation induced by the surroundings. We discuss the diagnostic potential of our multitechnique approach as a means for studying the surface chemistry of ancient metalwork. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
first_indexed 2024-03-07T01:49:52Z
format Journal article
id oxford-uuid:99b573e1-1460-4995-8ab8-506189ab660c
institution University of Oxford
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-07T01:49:52Z
publishDate 2008
record_format dspace
spelling oxford-uuid:99b573e1-1460-4995-8ab8-506189ab660c2022-03-27T00:16:21ZA multitechnique study of archeological bronzesJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:99b573e1-1460-4995-8ab8-506189ab660cEnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2008Northover, PCrossley, AGrazioli, CZema, NLa Rosa, SLozzi, LPicozzi, PPaparazzo, EWe used XPS, X-AES, synchrotron radiation-induced total electron yield X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), synchrotron radiation-induced photoelectron microscopy (PEM), and electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) techniques to explore the elemental and microchemical properties of two tin-bronzes (denoted A and B) found at a necropolis located in Fossa (Abruzzo, Italy), and dating from the late ninth century B.C. EPMA shows that the bulk elemental composition of the two bronzes is very much alike as far as the leading metals are concerned, whereas the main differences are limited to the composition of trace elements (A is notably richer in Pb and much poorer in Co). PEM highlights lateral chemical inhomogeneities with a spatial resolution in the submicron range. X-AES Cu L3 MM spectra show that the content of metallic copper is more abundant in the surface region of A than in B. XPS finds that the amount of carbon-bearing species is about 40% more abundant in the former sample. A significant enrichment of metallic copper at the surface of the same bronze is confirmed by XAS Cu L2,3 edge experiments. We interpret the 'high' carbon content found at the surface of bronze A as arising from intentional rubbing with organic substances, e.g. oil. The fact that the same bronze features a higher 'metallization' of surface copper suggests that such a procedure proved successful in minimizing the oxidation induced by the surroundings. We discuss the diagnostic potential of our multitechnique approach as a means for studying the surface chemistry of ancient metalwork. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
spellingShingle Northover, P
Crossley, A
Grazioli, C
Zema, N
La Rosa, S
Lozzi, L
Picozzi, P
Paparazzo, E
A multitechnique study of archeological bronzes
title A multitechnique study of archeological bronzes
title_full A multitechnique study of archeological bronzes
title_fullStr A multitechnique study of archeological bronzes
title_full_unstemmed A multitechnique study of archeological bronzes
title_short A multitechnique study of archeological bronzes
title_sort multitechnique study of archeological bronzes
work_keys_str_mv AT northoverp amultitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT crossleya amultitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT graziolic amultitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT zeman amultitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT larosas amultitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT lozzil amultitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT picozzip amultitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT paparazzoe amultitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT northoverp multitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT crossleya multitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT graziolic multitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT zeman multitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT larosas multitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT lozzil multitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT picozzip multitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes
AT paparazzoe multitechniquestudyofarcheologicalbronzes