Physical methods of possible use in scientific archaeology

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 Scanning electron microscopy + X- ray diffrac&on X- ray microanalysis; X- ray fluorescence; X- ray diffrac&on Proton- induced X- ray emission Neutron ac&va&on analysis Elemental analysis of glass; trace element and isotope analysis of medieval metal weapons; Pigments in ancient ceramics; Greek and Roman podery analysis; Pigments in wall pain&ngs/oil pain&ngs/illuminated manuscripts/polychromed sculpture; medieval coins; Elemental analysis of Greek copper coins; Pigments in Minoan ceramics; Minor and trace elements in obsidian; Laser- induced breakdown spectroscopy; Raman spectroscopy; Infra- red spectroscopy Pigments in a Byzan&ne icon;

Superb detec&on limits Superb accuracy Excellent for trace elements Excellent for minor components BUT Requires sample to be removed; Destruc&ve method

Techniques used in art and archaeology Informa6on Induc&vely- coupled plasma: emission spectroscopy mass spectroscopy Scanning electron microscopy + X- ray microanalysis X- ray fluorescence; X- ray diffrac&on Proton- induced X- ray emission Neutron ac&va&on analysis Elemental analysis of glass; trace element and isotope analysis of medieval metal weapons; Pigments in ancient ceramics; Greek and Roman podery analysis; Pigments in wall pain&ngs/oil pain&ngs/illuminated manuscripts/polychromed sculpture; medieval coins; Elemental analysis of Greek copper coins; Pigments in Minoan ceramics; Minor and trace elements in obsidian; Laser- induced breakdown spectroscopy; Raman spectroscopy; Infra- red spectroscopy Pigments in a Byzan&ne icon;

Excellent magnifica&on Excellent spa&al informa&on Sample needs to be in vacuum Sample needs to be coated SO Another destruc&ve method

Non- destruc&ve technique Portable instrumenta&on High sensi&vity in situ examina&on of objects Very popular technique BUT, poor spa&al resolu&on (1-5 mm)

Non- destruc&ve technique Quanta&ve analysis of major & minor components High spa&al resolu&on ppm sensi&vity BUT, samples to be put in vacuum

Techniques used in art and archaeology Laser- induced breakdown spectroscopy; Raman spectroscopy; Infra- red spectroscopy Informa6on Induc&vely- coupled plasma: emission spectroscopy mass spectroscopy Scanning electron microscopy + X- ray diffrac&on X- ray microanalysis; X- ray fluorescence; X- ray diffrac&on Proton- induced X- ray emission Neutron ac&va&on analysis Elemental analysis of glass; trace element and isotope analysis of medieval metal weapons; Pigments in ancient ceramics; Greek and Roman podery analysis; Pigments in wall pain&ngs/oil pain&ngs/illuminated manuscripts/polychromed sculpture; medieval coins; Elemental analysis of Greek copper coins; Pigments in Minoan ceramics; Minor and trace elements in obsidian;

RESEARCH FACILITIES at CAMP Centre for Atomic & Molecular Physics, Manipal University Raman Spectrometry Laser Induced Fluorescence Proteomics laboratory Femtosecond laser micro- machining of materials FTIR system + Reﬂectance/Transmission IR spectroscopy Laser- induced breakdown spectroscopy High sesi&vity HPLC- LIF Micro- Raman spectroscopy 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]

Infra- red Spectroscopy of Ceramics from Tell Brak, Syria M.L. Eiland and Q. Williams, Journal of Archaeological Science, 27 (2000) 993-1006 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.

10-20 μm 20-50 μm 20-50 μm 1-2 mm D. Anglos, Appl. Spectrosc. 55 (2001) 186A

Synthe&c; 1910 ZnS.BaSO 4 ; 1874 Synthe&c; 1920

Synthe&c; Egypt; ~1500 BCE As 2 S 2; Mineral Fe 2 O 3 ; Synthe&c, ~mid- 19 th century