The Strange Case of the Nuragic Offerers Bronze Statuettes: A Multi-Analytical Study (original) (raw)
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Spectrochimica Acta Part B 123, 2016
A spectrometric protocol combining Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry with Monte Carlo simulations of experimental spectra using the XRMC code package has been applied for the first time to characterize the elemental composition of a series of famous Iron Age small scale archaeological bronze replicas of ships (known as the "Navicelle") from the Nuragic civilization in Sardinia, Italy. The proposed protocol is a useful, nondestructive and fast analytical tool for Cultural Heritage sample. In Monte Carlo simulations, each sample was modeled as a mul-tilayered object composed by two or three layers depending on the sample: when all present, the three layers are the original bronze substrate, the surface corrosion patina and an outermost protective layer (Paraloid) applied during past restorations. Monte Carlo simulations were able to account for the presence of the patina/corrosion layer as well as the presence of the Paraloid protective layer. It also accounted for the roughness effect commonly found at the surface of corroded metal archaeological artifacts. In this respect, the Monte Carlo simulation approach adopted here was, to the best of our knowledge, unique and enabled to determine the bronze alloy composition together with the thickness of the surface layers without the need for previously removing the surface patinas, a process potentially threatening preservation of precious archaeological/artistic artifacts for future generations.
Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy, 2016
The chemical composition of a unique bronze artifact known as the "Cesta" ("Basket") belonging to the ancient Nuragic civilization of the Island of Sardinia, Italy has been analyzed by combining X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) with Monte Carlo simulations using the XRMC code. The "Cesta" had been discovered probably in the XVIII century with the first graphic representation reported around 1761. In a later draft (dated 1764), the basket has been depicted as being carried upside-down on the shoulder of a large bronze warrior Barthélemy (1761), Pinza (1901), Winckelmann (1776). The two pictorial representations differed only by the presence of handles in the most recent one. XRF measurements revealed that the handles of the object are composed by brass while the other parts are composed by bronze suggesting the handles as being a later addition to the original object. The artifact is covered at its surface by a fairly thick corrosion patina. In order to determine the bronze bulk composition without the need for removing the outer patina, the artifact has been modeled as a two layer object in Monte Carlo simulations.
The chemical composition of a unique bronze artifact known as the "Cesta" (Basket) belonging to the ancient Nuragic civilization of the Island of Sardinia, Italy has been analyzed by combining X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) with Monte Carlo simulations using the XRMC code. The "Cesta" had been discovered probably in the XVIII century with the first graphic representation reported around 1761. In a later draft (dated 1764), the basket has been depicted as being carried upside-down on the shoulder of a large bronze warrior Barthélemy (1761), Pinza (1901), Winckelmann (1776). The two pictorial representations differed only by the presence of handles in the most recent one. XRF measurements revealed that the handles of the object are composed by brass while the other parts are composed by bronze suggesting the handles as being a later addition to the original object. The artifact is covered at its surface by a fairly thick corrosion patina. In order to determi...
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Spectrochimica Acta Part B Atomic Spectroscopy
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This paper describes the results obtained from an archaeometric study of a bronze Nuragic small boat model (Sardinia, Italy) dating from the Early Iron Age. This model is of particular interest as it is a unique Nuragic boat model containing a human figure among its decorations. This study was carried out using a combination of non-invasive techniques with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (ED-XRF) integrated with Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and Raman spectroscopy, which allowed the characterization of the alloy of the artifact
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A bronze statue, coming from a judicial seizure and representing a satyr (Silenus), was examined to determine its provenience and the historical period of production. The iconological aspects, colours, patina and conservation state are strictly compatible with ancient bronze production in Imperial Roman age but a doubt on the authenticity was cast by the presence of nineteenth and twentieth century copies of original Herculaneum statues produced by Chiurazzi smelter. Analyses by optical microscope, XRD and SEM–EDS have been performed to characterize the samples collected from the surface of the statuette, a little piece of alloy and the casting core. The right arm of the statuette was broken and in the internal part, some charred tissues were present, allowing to perform a 14 C-AMS dating. Three possible dating has been assigned, but not before the 1640 ± 30 AD. Strong corrosion features like a well-formed and stratified patina were present, suggesting a long lasting alteration and indicating that patina's investigation cannot be the only criteria for authentication in this case. Gypsum in the casting core and a ternary alloy in the bronze, like the one used in the Chiurazzi forgery have been found. The origin from Vesuvius area is confirmed by the finding of minerals present in subsilicic alkalinic volcanic environment.
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