Abstract
Orichalcum is a Cu-Zn based alloy known since the 1st millennium BC. The cementation was the ancient technique used for its production. The PhD project here presented aimed to characterise this alloy and to evaluate its degradation: for this purpose, non-destructive, nano-invasive and destructive techniques were used on a collection of ancient coins issued from the 1st century BC to the end of the 1st century AD. In particular, a multi-analytical approach was used: to investigate the patinas and their corrosive patterns, to study the alloy microstructures and their degradation, to describe the dezincification process and grouping the coins by emission. In addition, quantitative analyses allowed a complete characterization of this ancient alloy. The multi-analytical approach allowed to review the previous theories used for dating samples in orichalcum. This project wanted to contribute to the current knowledge on Roman coinage and to attempt to investigate the mechanisms of corrosive processes affecting ancient alloys.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Rendiconti Online della Società Geologica Italiana
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
