Abstract
The analytical techniques used in the field of cultural heritage are as far as possible non or almost non-invasive. Among them those based on proton beams show for gold fingerprinting, a good compromise between detection limits and destructiveness. The main characteristics of PIXE, PIGE, PIXE-XRF and proton activation analysis (PAA) are given for the study of gold alloys. Their main advantages and disadvantages are cited and their use in the field of archaeological sciences is illustrated by two historical examples. One example concerns the identification of the origin of the gold used in the decoration of the coffins from a Xiongnu necropolis (3rd c. BC to 2nd c. AD) found in present Mongolia. The other example establishes whether the coins attributed to the first king of Portugal, Alfonso I, were struck in the 12th century or in modern time.
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