Ancient Artifacts Research Articles

Realisation and characterisation of Cu-based references for neutron imaging calibration purposes and first results

The long-term purpose of this study is to assess the capabilities of the new Neutron Imaging beamline developed at the LENA facility of Pavia (Italy) for the characterisation of bronze artefacts. In this preliminary work, a set of Cu-based reference alloys has been produced and analysed in order to test and calibrate the facility. The first step involved the production of Cu-based alloys with chemical composition and microstructure similar to ancient artefacts. The chemical composition of the reference alloys was analysed by Optical Emission Spectroscopy. Secondly, some samples were artificially patinated with different chemical treatments obtaining an artificial corrosion products layer comparable to natural corrosion. X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Raman Spectroscopy have been used to characterise the corrosion patina. The main corrosion products on sulphate-induced patina are cuprite and brochantite, whereas atacamite and clinoatacamite were detected on chloride-induced patinas. Finally, preliminary Neutron Imaging measurements were performed on a first set of coated and uncoated specimens in order to try to correlate the neutrons attenuation coefficients with the chemical compositions with promising results.

Isotopic metal compositions of Viking and medieval tin artifacts from Poland reveal expansive trade network

The lack of historically known tin deposits in Poland requires that the source of tin metal in ancient artifacts must be derived from foreign sources. To identify these external sources in the Viking Period, a combination of Pb and Sn isotope compositions and trace element analyses on a group of tin and tin rich alloys from three settlements in Poland was conducted. The integration of the chemical techniques reveals several sources for the tin rich artifacts, where group: 1) possesses Pb isotope values that overlap the Europe array which possess the highest (+1.6 ‰) and lowest (−1.1 ‰) Sn isotope values coupled with elevated In concentrations 2) has Pb isotope values that overlap the Slovakian array which possess lower Sn isotope values (+0.1 ‰ to + 0.3 ‰) coupled with low In and Te concentrations 3) has a Pb isotope value that is radiogenic which possesses a high Sn isotope value (+1.1 ‰). Group 1 artifacts are split into two sources designated by the higher Sn isotope values from Cornwall and the lower Sn isotope values from Brittany and are found in the two coastal settlements. Group two artifacts match a Slovakian origin, while one artifact labeled in group three possesses an Anatolian source. Defining the tin rich artifact sources allows constraint of the tin sources for the mixed alloys like bronze and pewter. In this instance the tin isotope values fall within two sources defined by the tin metal artifacts, Brittany and Cornwall. The chemical approach presented here defines distal metal sources to reveal a geographically expansive interconnected tin trade network that was predominantly European, in Viking times through chemical analysis of ornaments, coins, and beads.

Civil war, museum and iconoclasm in Northern Ethiopia: Dessie and Merho Museums in focus

ABSTRACT Ethnically or religiously motivated civil war and the subsequent iconoclastic acts are practical challenges that museums face in the twenty-first century. This article briefly discusses the destruction of museums during the Northern Ethiopia civil war of 2020–2022. The example of iconoclasm in Dessie and Merho Museums is explored to provide a lens through which deeper understandings can be drawn on why and how iconoclasm was practiced during the Northern Ethiopia civil war. The study employs qualitative research methods, including extensive systematic field observation, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. The study's findings indicate that the collections of Dessie and Meriho Museums were deliberately damaged and pillaged. Ancient artifacts, photographs, documents and paintings housed in these museums were vandalized, sprinkled on the wall of the museums or pillaged. Museum objects of Dessie and Merho were destroyed deliberately in haste and violence, and the information consequently lost with them is irreplaceable.

Civil Litigation Mechanism for the Return of Stolen Artifacts from the US: An Example of Taizong Horses

A large number of ancient artifacts were stolen, plundered, and displaced abroad due to aggressions and wars in the early 1900s, and the US is one of the largest recipients of stolen artifacts from around the world. In past practices, negotiation and purchasing have been the main means to recover these lost artifacts. This article argues that legal means, especially the civil litigation approach, can play a unique role in recovery. Through analyzing original ownership, bona fide acquisition, and the statute of limitations in domestic law, the passage demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of litigation for the return of artifacts in the US. This paper also analyzes the civil litigation mechanism for the recovery of international stolen cultural property under the American legal system by taking the Chinese cultural relic Taizong Horse exhibited in the Museum of the University of Pennsylvania as an example and proves that civil litigation for the recovery of international cultural relics is completely feasible.

Artificial neural networks exploiting point cloud data for fragmented solid objects classification

This paper presents a novel approach for fragmented solid object classification exploiting neural networks based on point clouds. This work is the initial step of a project in collaboration with the Institution of ‘Ente Parco Archeologico del Colosseo’ in Rome, which aims to reconstruct ancient artifacts from their fragments. We built from scratch a synthetic dataset (DS) of fragments of different 3D objects including aging effects. We used this DS to train deep learning models for the task of classifying internal and external fragments. As model architectures, we adopted PointNet and dynamical graph convolutional neural network, which take as input a point cloud representing the spatial geometry of a fragment, and we optimized model performance by adding additional features sensitive to local geometry characteristics. We tested the approach by performing several experiments to check the robustness and generalization capabilities of the models. Finally, we test the models on a real case using a 3D scan of artifacts preserved in different museums, artificially fragmented, obtaining good performance.

Artificial Intelligence and Archaeological Illustration

AbstractThe reconstruction and representation of ancient artifacts and scenes through illustration is a cornerstone in the communication of archaeological findings. Sketches of the past have transformed over time, incorporating broader technological changes, from photography to the digital tools that have become prevalent through the twenty-first century. Most recently, developments in generative artificial intelligence (AI) promise to reshape the way we represent the past to professional and public audiences. This article shows how to use an accessible and inexpensive artificial intelligence platform to generate complex archaeological illustrations. As a case study, we create multiple scenes representing competing hypotheses about Neanderthal behavior. Using the images to visually communicate alternative hypotheses, we demonstrate how archaeological illustration using artificial intelligence promises to democratize the production of visual representations of the past.

Spectroscopic and microscopic analysis of yarn sample found in Başur Höyük Early Bronze Age Cemetery

The Early Bronze Age cemetery at Başur Höyük (Siirt, Türkiye), dated back to the 3rd millennium BC, contains a wide range of ancient artifacts. Thousands of finds consisting of various metal objects, pottery, stone and textile artifacts were excavated from the site, where a total of 18 graves were found and excavated. The well-preserved textile artifacts, found especially on metal objects, are the subject of the present article. The article presents the initial results of the joint work of the archaeologists and textile engineers involved in the archaeological excavation project at Başur Höyük. The paper presents general information about the uses of the textile materials found in the Başur Höyük EBA burial site and the Başur Höyük graves, concluded on the basis of their relationship with the other excavated materials. In addition, the results of the quantitative analyses of the yarn artifact is presented, which were carried out using non-destructive analytical methods, such as: FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and SEM microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The infrared spectra of the yarn sample indicate the cellulose origin of the ancient fibers.

Editorial

In an attempt to stay in touch with the evolution of society, we asked ChatGPT to tell us why museums are great for language learning. Here is its answer: 
 Museums are just the epitome of language learning greatness. Who needs lively conversations, engaging interactions, or authentic cultural experiences when you can stroll through silent halls, read lengthy exhibit descriptions, and marvel at ancient artifacts with no context? Surely, deciphering those small-font labels and listening to monotone audio guides in multiple languages will skyrocket your language skills. And let's not forget the joy of trying to comprehend complex historical and artistic concepts in a foreign tongue. It's a language learning paradise! (Note: This response contains sarcasm for humorous effect.)
 ChatGPT can add “sarcasm for humorous effect” and even create a quite convincing didactic scenario for language teaching in a museum (see page 71 of this issue), but it cannot (yet) be with students in a museum, acknowledge the learning opportunities in real time, give students the feedback and support they individually need, or assess their linguistic, cultural, and critical thinking development before, during, and after a museum visit. It cannot either create “lively conversations, engaging interactions, [and] authentic cultural experiences” or enhance the “small-font labels [and] monotone audio guides” in a pedagogic way. For this, you, language teachers, are still the best (non-artificial) Intelligence. And we hope to help by giving you some ideas, empirical results and evidence-based advice in this second issue on living languages in museums - and its SMILE side project! Enjoy!

Digitization of Ancient Artefacts and Fabrication of Sustainable 3D-Printed Replicas for Intended Use by Visitors with Disabilities: The Case of Piraeus Archaeological Museum

The digitization of ancient artifacts and the fabrication of sustainable 3D-printed replicas present a promising solution for enhancing the accessibility to cultural heritage sites for visitors with disabilities. This article focuses on the case study of the Piraeus Archaeological Museum. The study investigates the process of digitizing a selection of ancient artifacts from the museum’s collection and utilizing 3D printing technology to produce tactile replicas from recycled Polylactic Acid (PLA) material that provide a multisensory experience for individuals with disabilities like vision impairment. The research examines the technical challenges and considerations faced by the authors’ team during the 3D scanning process of the artifacts, the manufacturing of raw material from 3D printing waste, as well as the optimization of 3D printing parameters to ensure the creation of high-quality 3D-printed replicas. Furthermore, the article points out the positive future impact that the 3D-printed replicas will have on the engagement and comprehension of vision-impaired visitors, highlighting the potential of this approach in promoting inclusivity and fostering a connection with cultural heritage.

A multi‐analytical approach to unmask two Etruscan‐Corinthian fake vases: A contribution to the illicit trafficking of cultural goods

AbstractThis work addresses the authenticity issue of fake potteries circulating in the illicit art market, imitating ancient artefacts, by an interdisciplinary and a multi‐analytical approach. In faking manufacture, unscrupulous forgers use increasingly advanced skills to mimic ancient materials and technologies and to produce artificial ageing. Despite the phenomenon of archaeological objects' forgery is considered a crime and a source of illicit earnings, there are not enough works in the literature to support the difficult unmasking of archaeological fake objects. In this work, a pair of ointment vases mimicking the “Etruscan‐Corinthian” style, seized thanks to the police activity of the Carabinieri Headquarters for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (Comando Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale, TPC) and studied within “Laboratorio del Falso” at Roma Tre University, are analysed from the archaeological viewpoint, and then scientific investigations are carried out to understand materials and techniques used by the forger. The aim of this work is to provide useful tools for the study of similar fake objects by reconstructing the forger recipe and in particular identifying errors he committed with respect to the original manufactures, invisible to the eye. The characterization of raw materials is carried out by combining X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and micro‐Raman spectroscopy techniques, in order to determine the composition of surface decoration, encrustations and surface deposits. By this simple protocol, it was possible to consistently clarify the aspects characterizing the modus operandi of the forger, through the identification of anachronisms, that is, materials and techniques incompatible with the hypothesized ancient manufacture. In particular, modern pigments of synthetic origin are found in decorations, such as cobalt‐based black pigment and Mars red pigments with the addition of a polymer to enhance the adhesion to the vases' body.

New Materials and Advanced Procedures of Conservation Ancient Artifacts

This Special Issue focused on scientific works on new materials and advanced procedures used in the preservation of ancient artifacts [...]

Prediction of Chemical Composition Ratio of Ancient Glass before Weathering Based on LASSO Regression

Ancient glass is highly susceptible to weathering by the environment in which it is buried. During the weathering process, the internal elements of the glass undergo a large exchange with the environmental elements. This phenomenon leads to a change in the proportion of its composition. By analysing the chemical composition of ancient glass before and after weathering, the relationship between the changes can be identified, which means the original chemical composition can be predicted from the chemical composition of the glass after weathering. This is of great significance to the exploration and study of ancient artefacts. This paper first uses Spearman and Kendall correlation coefficient to identify the most influential factor on the weathering condition of glass from ornamentation, type and color, which eventually points to the glass type. This finding is secondly verified using a chi-square test. So the glass is divided into two types: high-potassium and lead-barium. By using the box plot to compare the chemical composition of high-potassium and lead-barium glass before and after weathering, it is found that there is a certain linear relationship between the chemical composition of glass before weathering and after weathering.LASSO regression was eventually applied to find the correspondence between the chemical composition of glass before and after weathering, thus enabling the prediction of the chemical composition of the glass before weathering.

Artefact Profiling: Panomics Approaches for Understanding the Materiality of Written Artefacts.

This review explains the strategies behind genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, metallomics and isotopolomics approaches and their applicability to written artefacts. The respective sub-chapters give an insight into the analytical procedure and the conclusions drawn from such analyses. A distinction is made between information that can be obtained from the materials used in the respective manuscript and meta-information that cannot be obtained from the manuscript itself, but from residues of organisms such as bacteria or the authors and readers. In addition, various sampling techniques are discussed in particular, which pose a special challenge in manuscripts. The focus is on high-resolution, non-targeted strategies that can be used to extract the maximum amount of information about ancient objects. The combination of the various omics disciplines (panomics) especially offers potential added value in terms of the best possible interpretations of the data received. The information obtained can be used to understand the production of ancient artefacts, to gain impressions of former living conditions, to prove their authenticity, to assess whether there is a toxic hazard in handling the manuscripts, and to be able to determine appropriate measures for their conservation and restoration.

The French Connection: Charles Clermont-Ganneau and the Antiquities Trade Network in the Late Ottoman Levant

Abstract Charles Clermont-Ganneau is widely recognized by scholars for his contributions to the archaeology, epigraphy, and historical geography of Israel/Palestine and the broader Middle East. But Clermont-Ganneau was also a major contributor to antiquities trade networks between the Levant and France in the Late Ottoman period. For a period of more than 35 years, he served variously as finder, agent, consultant, buyer, and dealer of ancient artifacts of all types. This article looks at Clermont-Ganneau’s involvement in antiquities trafficking and how it was intertwined with his scholarly career. A close study of his activities suggests that Clermont-Ganneau’s career is a paradigmatic example of academic reliance on the antiquities trade.

Assessing the potential of Sentinel-2 imagery and spectroscopy for determining the origin of ancient artifacts in Khuzestan, Iran

Studying the spectral behavior of objects using remote sensing and spectroscopy can be used to identify the source of the raw materials. Therefore, this research first studied the spectral behavior and composition of the ancient artifacts of the Ziggurat temple located in the Khuzestan province, southwest Iran, using FieldSpec3 spectro-radiometer, The Spectral Geologist (TSG), the Prism software, and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. A Comparison of the spectral curves and absorption features of the samples shows that the spectral behavior of brick and pottery samples differs mostly from that of soil samples. The next step was to examine the potential of Sentinel-2 images to classify the area using the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classifier for detecting the origin of the raw materials utilized in the construction of the Ziggurat's brick and pottery samples. The SAM results showed that the raw materials originated mostly from outside the area, which are confirmed by the results of TSG and Prism software. Comparison of the XRD results with the SAM and TSG validated that XRD results confirmed the SAM results. However, only some of the TSG similarity results were consistent with the XRD. These results suggest that the Sentinel-2 image was successful in finding the source of raw materials. The results can help decision makers to make informed decisions about the conservation and preservation of the temple and its artifacts. Also, they can use these techniques to investigate the origin of other ancient structures and artifacts in different locations.

From Lacquer Painting to Kintsukuroi: A Rheological Study of Kintsukuroi

The word “Kintsukuroi” originated from Japan, but its origin is traced back to the traditional Chinese art of repairing ancient artifacts - lacquer painting. The repair technique not only has a long history in China, but also has influenced the formation and development of artifact repair in many countries and regions in the world. Based on the perspective of intangible cultural heritage, this paper analyzes and studies the ancient Chinese traditional lacquer calligraphist by sorting out the evolution of the Kintsukuroi process. At the same time, under the background of cultural confidence, this paper also continuously enhances the spiritual cohesion of the Chinese nation, and promotes the revival and inheritance of Chinese traditional craftsmanship.

Neutron activation analysis of archaeometallurgical ancient artifacts found in Uzbekistan

Neutron activation analysis of archaeometallurgical ancient artifacts found in Uzbekistan

Summary of the methods of composition analysis and identification of ancient glass objects

The analysis and identification of the composition of ancient glass objects is a major topic in archaeological research today, and its main task is to restore the true appearance of ancient artifacts as completely as possible by examining various characteristics (surface weathering, color, chemical composition, etc.). The analysis of the indicators before and after weathering at the sampling points is a very important research method that should be continuously improved and rationalized. In this thesis, the characteristics of various types of glass products before and after weathering and the indicators of chemical composition are analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively through various methods (modeling, data analysis, etc.), and the patterns among the indicators of various types of glass are identified, and then the composition of various types of glass before weathering is predicted and the type of glass of unknown glass artifacts is judged. The ideas and research methods embodied therein are of certain significance for the analysis and identification of ancient glass objects in the future.

Decision tree based classification of glass artefact types

This paper uses logistic regression, SVM, and decision trees in machine learning to analyse 67 data items from question C of the 2022 GCSE Cup National Student Mathematical Modelling Competition. The data were analysed using systematic clustering, the clustering coefficients were analysed, the number of clusters K was further determined by the "elbow" method, a clear classification pattern between the glasses was obtained, and a grid search method was used to classify the glasses. The results show that the new excavated glass artefacts have been classified using the "elbow" method. The results show that newly excavated glass artefacts are classified by varying PbO content. If the lead oxide (PbO) content is below 5.46%, they are considered high-potassium glasses and vice versa for lead-barium drinks. The content of silica was further used as a boundary to divide the high-potassium glass into two subclasses. Lead-barium glasses are divided into three subclasses using the lead oxide and silica content as the boundary. Using a series of models and algorithms, the classification patterns of different types of glass and their subclasses were clarified, and the results were tested for reasonableness and sensitivity. Such a model can be used to classify newly excavated glass artefacts and can also be modified based on this model for the identification and analysis of other ancient artefacts.

Material Evidence of Sediments Recovered from Ancient Amphorae Found at the Potaissa Roman Fortress

Methods for material investigation are powerful tools that allow specialists to elucidate important aspects regarding ancient artifacts such as the Roman amphorae deposits discovered at Potaissa Fortress in Turda, Romania. Archeological debate states that the deposit contained olive oil and wine amphorae, but no material evidence has been presented until now. The current research is focused on the most representative large amphora fragments found in the Potaissa deposit, with a significant amount of sediment on their walls, to give archeologists the material proof to elucidate their debate. Sediment was collected from each fragment and subjected to complex analysis. XRD investigation combined with cross-polarized light microscopy demonstrated mineral particles such as quartz, clay (muscovite and traces of biotite), and calcite. Quartz and calcite particles have a rounded shape and diameters in a range of 20-200 µm, and clay particles have a lamellar shape and dimensions from 1 to 20 µm, a fact confirmed by SEM microscopy. Sample 2 presented a large amount of amorphous phase followed by Samples 1 and 3, with a low amount of organic phase. FTIR investigation confirms organic phase presence owing to strong absorption bands regarding C-H, C=O, and O-H chemical bonds related to aliphatic compounds in Sample 2, and to some decayed wine residue in Samples 1 and 3. EDS elemental analysis was used for organic particle identification in the amphora sediments and to obtain a correlation with their microstructure. GC-MS investigation showed volatile compounds related to wine residue for Samples 1 and 3 and decomposed fats for Sample 2. Tartaric and malic acid were identified by HPLC in Samples 1 and 3, which are wine biomarkers. The correlation of all experimental results concludes with no doubt that Amphora 2 contained olive oil and Amphorae 1 and 3 contained wine in ancient times.