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A series of corroded Safavid copper coins (folus) dating to the seventeenth century CE and minted in Isfahan were discovered in Hamedan, Western Iran. A selection of these coins was studied to identify the minting process, corrosion morphology and mechanisms, and their state of conservation. Eight coins from two hoards were analysed using metallography, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS and XRD to identify their metal/alloy compositions and microstructures, as well as the chemical compositions of any corrosion layers and products. The results showed that the coins were minted from blanks using thermomechanical processing to produce their relief-like surfaces. The corrosion morphology was found to include a two-layered corrosion crust in which the original surface was well-retained, and the corrosion mechanisms identified were internal dissolution and oxidation of copper and the formation of copper (II) compounds over the original surface. The presence of chloride compounds in the corrosion products showed that the coins have been suffering from 'bronze disease' so that any preventive conservation must include keeping the relative humidity of their storage and exhibition environments below 45%.

Abstract:The Shamsali and Gorgali rock shelters were discovered during an archaeological survey in 2009 at Kohgiluye Bouier Ahmad province, west of Iran. In total, 50 paintings occur at both rock shelters; 21 at Shamsali, and 29 remains at Gorgali rock shelter. The paintings consist of "ibex", "Predators", and "riders" in red and black. They are depicted stylistically in singular or plural subjects in profile. In addition, the most numerous images in the Shamsali and Gorgali rock shelters represent "ibex", comparable with a large numbers of such motifs identified in other regions of Iran. There is no certainty in attributed dates, because we are lacking absolute dating methods.

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