physical methods of possible use in scientific archaeologyarchaeo/fop/fop pdf of ppt/dmathur...

Physical methods of possible use in

scientific archaeology

Deepak Mathur Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai

Centre for Atomic & Molecular Physics, Manipal University

Techniques used in art and archaeology

Informa6on

Induc&vely-‐coupled plasma: emission spectroscopy mass spectroscopy

Elemental analysis of glass; trace element and isotope analysis of medieval metal weapons;

Scanning electron microscopy + X-‐ray diffrac&on

Pigments in ancient ceramics;

X-‐ray microanalysis; X-‐ray fluorescence; X-‐ray diffrac&on

Greek and Roman poDery analysis; Pigments in wall pain&ngs/oil pain&ngs/illuminated manuscripts/polychromed sculpture; medieval coins;

Proton-‐induced X-‐ray emission Elemental analysis of Greek copper coins; Pigments in Minoan ceramics;

Neutron ac&va&on analysis Minor and trace elements in obsidian;

Laser-‐induced breakdown spectroscopy; Raman spectroscopy; Infra-‐red spectroscopy

Pigments in a Byzan&ne icon;

• Excellent for trace elements

Superb detec&on limits

• Excellent for minor components

Superb accuracy

BUT… Requires sample to be removed; Destruc&ve method


Informa6on



Scanning electron microscopy + X-‐ray microanalysis


X-‐ray fluorescence; X-‐ray diffrac&on






• Sample needs to be in vacuum

Excellent magnifica&on

• Sample needs to be coated

Excellent spa&al

informa&on

SO… Another destruc&ve method


Informa6on











• High sensi&vity Non-‐destruc&ve

technique

•  in situ examina&on of objects

Portable instrumenta&on

Very popular technique… BUT, poor spa&al resolu&on (1-‐5 mm)


Informa6on











• High spa&al resolu&on

Non-‐destruc&ve technique

• ppm sensi&vity

Quanta&ve analysis of

major & minor components

BUT, samples to be put in vacuum


Informa6on



Scanning electron microscopy + X-‐ray diffrac&on


X-‐ray microanalysis; X-‐ray fluorescence; X-‐ray diffrac&on





Raman Spectrometry

Laser-‐induced breakdown spectroscopy

FTIR system +

Reflectance/Transmission IR spectroscopy

Femtosecond laser micro-‐machining of materials

Laser Induced Fluorescence

Proteomics laboratory

Micro-‐Raman spectroscopy

High sesi&vity HPLC-‐LIF

RESEARCH FACILITIES at CAMP Centre for Atomic & Molecular Physics,

Manipal University

Details from Dr. C. Santhosh, Head – CAMP hDp://www.manipal.edu/INSTITUTIONS/UNIVERSITYDEPARTMENTS/CAMP/Pages/Welcome.aspx

Raman Spectroscopy in Archaeology and Art History

a non-‐destruc&ve method for: •  characterising chemical composi8on; •  characterising structure; •  determining provenance of objects of archaeological, historical importance; •  determining authen8city of objects of archaeological, historical importance.

Prac&cal u&lity demonstrated in studies of:

•  Dyes and Pigments; •  Artefacts; •  Biological Materials and their degrada&on; •  Jewellery and Precious Stones.

Raman Spectroscopy applied to studies of: •  Five Romano-‐Bri8sh Villas; The Domis Coiedii at Suasa, Italy;

•  Xth Century Manuscript Beato de Valcavdo;

•  Frescoes; a polychrome 16th-‐century Italian fresco; Etruscan poMery;

•  Phase Analysis of Third Millenium Syrian Ceramics by Micro-‐Raman;

•  Archaeological Biomaterials: Ochred Bones and Resins;

•  Chinese Scrolls and other Fluorescent samples;

•  Ancient Tex8le Fibres;

•  Analysis of nephrite jade; Mesoamerican Jade; Database exists of 74 Raman Spectra of Standard Minerals [metal corrosion, stained glass, Prehistoric rock art]

Journal of Archaeological Science, 27 (2000) 993-‐1006

Infra-‐red Spectroscopy of Ceramics from Tell Brak, Syria M.L. Eiland and Q. Williams,

•  Infra-‐red microspectroscopy, in both reflectance and transmission geometries, applied to archaeological ceramics samples:

•  Tell Brak, Syria;

•  Three periods: the Halaf/Ubaid, Akkadian and 2nd millennium.

•  Provides constraints on mineralogic make-‐up of ceramic bodies and coa8ngs.

•  From the mineralogy, deduce, thus, the firing temperature.

•  Iden8fy “local” and “imported” components; Iden8fy developments in firing technology.

Laser-‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

Laser-‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

•  Diagnose plasma in &me-‐resolved and spectrally-‐resolved fashion; •  Almost non-‐destruc&ve…crater ~1-‐10 μm deep, ~10-‐100 μm wide, 20-‐200 ng material used; •  No sampling; no sample prepara&on; •  Spectrum can be accumulated in single laser shot….VERY fast! •  No ionizing radia&ons.

1-‐2 mm

20-‐50 μm

20-‐50 μm

10-‐20 μm

D. Anglos, Appl. Spectrosc. 55 (2001) 186A

Synthe&c; 1910 ZnS.BaSO4; 1874 Synthe&c; 1920

Synthe&c; Egypt; ~1500 BCE As2S2; Mineral Fe2O3; Synthe&c, ~mid-‐19th century

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