Testing the applicability of handheld portable XRF to the characterisation of archaeological copper alloys

Nicholas, Matthew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0018-835X and Manti, Panagiota 2014. Testing the applicability of handheld portable XRF to the characterisation of archaeological copper alloys. Presented at: ICOM-CC 17th Triennial Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 15-19 September 2014. Published in: Bridgland, J. ed. ICOM-CC 17th Triennial Conference Preprints, Melbourne, 15–19 September 2014. Paris: International Council of Museums, 0904.

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Abstract

Falling costs, smaller sizes and increasingly user-friendly interfaces have led to the wide use of HHpXRF to the analyses of cultural heritage objects. Methodological considerations on the validity of results derived from HHpXRF have led to debates in conservation and archaeological literature. Relatively little attention has been paid to the applicability of HHpXRF to the characterisation of archaeological copper alloys. This paper evaluates the use of Bruker AXS Tracer III-SD on a range of certified copper alloys selected based on their occurrence in antiquity. Alloys are then electrochemically corroded and analysed to examine the impact of corrosion layers on HHpXRF data. Qualitative and quantitative data processing methods are compared and the impact of source-to-sample distance on the HHpXRF results is examined. The implications and relevance of data accuracy is discussed with regards to the archaeological interpretation and uses in conservation.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	History, Archaeology and Religion
Subjects:	C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology
Publisher:	International Council of Museums
ISBN:	9789290124108
ISSN:	2312-9964
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	27 Oct 2022 09:23
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/65469

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