Mobile Spectroscopy in Archaeometry: Some Case Study

Abstract

We provide an overview of recent results obtained by the innovative application of mobile spectroscopy for in situ investigation in archaeometry. Its growing relevance is linked to the great advantages of avoiding the transport and eventual damage of precious artifacts and of allowing the analysis of those specimens that are, for example, built into infrastructures or in some way permanently affixed. In this context, some case studies of combined instrumental approaches, involving X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Raman spectroscopy, integrated by infrared thermography (IRT), are, in particular, discussed: the archaeological site of Scifì (Forza d’Agrò, province of Messina, Italy) and the Abbey of SS. Pietro e Paolo d’Agrò (Casalvecchio Siculo, province of Messina, Italy). In the first case, the elemental composition, as obtained by XRF, of two types of mortars belonging to two different chronological phases, dated back between the 3rd and the 5th century AD, allowed us to hypothesize a same origin area of their raw materials and a different production technique. Again, the combined use of XRF and Raman spectroscopies, supported by IRT technique, on pottery fragments of Greek-Hellenistic age and late imperial period, furnished important information concerning the receipts for the pigmenting agents of the finishing layer, allowing in some cases their unambiguous identification. In the second case, XRF data collected on bricks and stones from the external facade of the abbey allowed us to make some hypothesis concerning the provenance of their constituents materials, supposed to be in the area of valley of the river Agrò.

Handheld X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Versus Wavelength Dispersive XRF: Characterization of Chinese Blue-and-White Porcelain Sherds Using Handheld and Laboratory-Type XRF Instruments

“…8,[16][17][18][19][20][21] Since the 1990s, almost all studies on Chinese ceramics were carried out in the research centers housing a laboratory-scale infrastructure, which ranges from conventional XRD, XRF, SEM-EDS, electron probe microanalysis, ICP-MS, Raman, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] to more sophisticated techniques such as TEM, NAA, thermal ionization mass spectrometry, proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), Mö ssbauer spectroscopy, full-field transmission X-ray microspectrometry, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. [35][36][37][38][39] As mentioned above, the analyses aim to identify the body, glaze, and coloring agent constituents, as well as to resolve the discussion of the authenticity of the objects. Most studies focus on excavated materials, 24,[40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] which are more reliable for authenticity and provenance determination, but generally consist of kiln waste remains.…”

Unexpected Findings in 16th Century Wall Paintings: Identification of Aragonite and Unusual Pigments

“…bending vibrations, respectively) is present in all the spectra, which suggests the presence of calcium carbonate as calcite from the binder fraction of the mortar substrate [7][8][9][10][11][12]. The spectra of the white areas present only the peaks at around 1793, 1410, 873 and 712 cm −1 , which, as just discussed, refer to calcium carbonate, which constitutes the pigment bianco di Sangiovanni [6].…”

“…The powders of sample ST1, which is colored in aqua green, were analyzed with XRD (Figure 3). A comparison with the instrument database revealed the presence of clinochlore (Mg 3 (Mg 2 Al)((Si 3 Al)O 10 ), which is a member of the chlorite group, with a color that varies between yellowish green, olive green, blackish green and bluish green [6] The pattern of IR bands (Figure 4a) at around 1410 cm −1 (C-O asymmetric stretching) and 1793 cm −1 (combination band), 873 and 712 cm −1 (C-O out-of-plane and in-plane bending vibrations, respectively) is present in all the spectra, which suggests the presence of calcium carbonate as calcite from the binder fraction of the mortar substrate [7][8][9][10][11][12]. The spectra of the white areas present only the peaks at around 1793, 1410, 873 and 712 cm −1 , which, as just discussed, refer to calcium carbonate, which constitutes the pigment bianco di Sangiovanni [6].…”

Spectroscopic investigation on a XVII-XVIII century terracotta slab from Calabria, Southern Italy

“…The analysis of ancient artefacts, based on their composition and petrophysical properties, represents an important aspect of the new archaeological research [1][2][3]. Compositional data are, in particular, a fundamental tool in the study of ancient extractive and fabrication technologies, as well as in the investigation about the provenance of the artefact [4][5][6][7].…”