Chapter 1 - Advanced Microscopy Techniques for Nanoscale Diagnostic of Cultural Heritage: Scanning Electron Microscopy for Investigation of Medieval Coins and Frescos From the Republic of Tatarstan

Abstract

Microscopic methods make it possible to investigate the surface structure of objects in varying detail, but being integrated with other physical methods of analysis, they also allow study of the chemical composition of the object, eventually drawing conclusions about the origin of the object or its initial components, method or time of its creation, author(s), purpose, authenticity, mechanisms of degradation, and ways of further conservation. At present, different kinds of microscopy can be applied to such a wide range of cultural heritage objects as paintings, murals and frescoes, manuscripts and books, statues, precious stone products as well as various objects made of leather, fabric, stone, ceramics, glass, wood, or metal. One of the tendencies for future development in the area is associated with the desire for greater portability of research microscopic equipment, since many subjects of research cannot be moved to the laboratory, either because of their size, inseparability (for example, cave and mural paintings), or the threat to their preservation. In this chapter we will try to briefly overview the main microscopic methods used for the study of cultural heritage objects, indicating the scope of their application as well as the degree of portability, and to demonstrate the application of microscopic methods for investigation of a series of artifacts from the Volga region. The first are medieval silver coins once passed on the territory of the Middle Volga Region. The second is the fresco base (levcas in Russian) and the paint layer of a unique mural dating from the 16th century, miraculously preserved in the Assumption Cathedral of the town of Sviyazhsk in the Republic of Tatarstan.