Decoration composition of Iberian Iron Age ivory artifacts identified by no-destructive chemical analyses

Abstract

In this work, five unique Iberian Iron Age handles have been studied. The use of portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and Fourier transform near–infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy no-destructive techniques has allowed us to identify two raw materials (amber and tin) used to decorate the ivory handles. Due to the finesse of their inlaid decoration and the value and exoticism of the material employed for their manufacture, these ivory objects are really exceptional Iberian archaeology findings. Interestingly, it has been possible to determine that tin was used as an adherent material to fix the inlaid small pieces of amber in the handles. The obtained results allow the better understanding of the manufacturing processes, areas of production, and accessibility to exotic materials of valuable objects during the Iberian period.