Abstract
This research concerns the application of micro X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) mapping to the investigation of a group of selected metal objects from the archaeological site of Ferento, a Roman and then medieval town in Central Italy. Specifically, attention was focused on two test pits, named IV and V, in which metal objects were found, mainly pertaining to the medieval period and never investigated before the present work from a compositional point of view. The potentiality of µXRF mapping was tested through a Bruker Tornado M4 equipped with an Rh tube, operating at 50 kV, 500 μA, and spot 25 μm obtained with polycapillary optics. Principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate curve resolution (MCR) were used for processing the X-ray fluorescence spectra. The results showed that the investigated items are characterized by different compositions in terms of chemical elements. Three little wheels are made of lead, while the fibulae are made of copper-based alloys with varying amounts of tin, zinc, and lead. Only one ring is iron-based, and the other objects, namely a spatula and an applique, are also made of copper-based alloys, but with different relative amounts of the main elements. In two objects, traces of gold were found, suggesting the precious character of these pieces. MCR analysis was demonstrated to be particularly useful to confirm the presence of trace elements, such as gold, as it could differentiate the signals related to minor elements from those due to major chemical elements.
Highlights
This contribution concerns the application of micro X-ray fluorescence mapping to the investigation of a group of selected metal objects from the archaeological site of Ferento, a Roman and medieval town in Central Italy
Pieces, thick4,and bepartially seen that the three objects classified as ornamental jewellery, i.e
The present work proposes a suitable approach for the interpretation of XRF hyperspectral data arrays obtained by μXRF analyses of archaeological metal artifacts from the site of Ferento
Summary
This contribution concerns the application of micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) mapping to the investigation of a group of selected metal objects from the archaeological site of Ferento, a Roman and medieval town in Central Italy. The main aim of this work was to test the potentiality of μXRF mapping for the characterization of archaeological metal alloys, which are difficult to study due to the. J. Imaging 2020, 6, 59; doi:10.3390/jimaging6070059 www.mdpi.com/journal/jimaging. J. Imaging 2020, 6, 59 presence of oxidation patina and surface depositions that prevent the possibility of obtaining a strictly. J. Imaging 2020, 6, x FOR PEER REVIEW quantitative analysis. Ferento was an ancient town, located approximately 8 km from Viterbo along the north-eastern
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