Stone Beads from Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age Settlements from South-Western Portugal: Analyses by X-Ray Diffraction

Abstract

The use of non-destructive techniques is very important in the field of archaeology, as frequently the specimens are unique and often small, and damaging them may be very problematic. X-ray diffraction can be used in a non-destructive way, and provides important information not only on the crystal structure but also on the composition of the specimens. It can be used in the characterisation of small and big specimens, and it is also possible to scan their surfaces in order to detect and identify inhomogeneities.