Abstract
We present a completely non-destructive approach to analyse a set of historical glass mosaic tesserae. Aim of the study is to obtain a qualitative and quantitative characterization of the glass matrix in terms of elements and mineralogical phases. Several non-destructive techniques have been applied like Particle-Induced X-ray Emission, Particle-Induced Gamma-ray Emission, micro-Raman spectroscopy, neutron resonance capture analysis and neutron activation analysis in order to combine different technique strengths and to explore the effect of different range sizes for the analysis. Yet, best practices require the use of combined analysis and different skills. The paradigm of a non-destructive multi-analytical approach is suggested for a comprehensive investigation in non-homogeneous real samples, like historical glass mosaic tesserae.
Highlights
The study of archaeological glass composition is based on consolidated techniques, like inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) [3] and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) [4,5,6]
Mosaic glasses are archaeological glasses whose beauty is connected to their many hues, colours and transparencies, which derive from the composition and location of different mineralogical phases and chromophore ions modifying the starting glass structure
Ion beam analyses (IBA), like Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Particle-Induced Gamma-ray Emission (PIGE), micro-Raman spectroscopy and neutron-based experiments were performed to check the presence of specific elements and mineralogical phases
Summary
The search for specific elements, and mineralogical phases (for the colouring and opacifying agents), is very important, and the use of completely non-destructive techniques is highly desirable. Mosaic glasses are archaeological glasses whose beauty is connected to their many hues, colours and transparencies, which derive from the composition and location of different mineralogical phases and chromophore ions modifying the starting glass structure. In order to have a non-destructive bulk characterization, a new multianalysis route studying a set of historical mosaic tesserae by a wide number of surface techniques. The combined use of surface (like IBA and Raman) and bulk (NRCA and NAA) techniques will provide the elemental and mineralogical phases composition. The results suggest the use of a multidisciplinary approach to have a comprehensive quantitative description of mosaic glasses, evidencing the most appropriate non-destructive technique for the study of different glass characteristics
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