Study Of Archaeological Artefacts Research Articles

Crystal-Chemical and Thermal Properties of Decorative Cement Composites.

The advanced tendencies in building materials development are related to the design of cement composites with a reduced amount of Portland cement, contributing to reduced CO2 emissions, sustainable development of used non-renewal raw materials, and decreased energy consumption. This work deals with water cured for 28 and 120 days cement composites: Sample A—reference (white Portland cement + sand + water); Sample B—white Portland cement + marble powder + water; and Sample C white Portland cement + marble powder + polycarboxylate-based water reducer + water. By powder X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy, the redistribution of CO32−, SO42−, SiO44−, AlO45−, and OH− (as O-H bond in structural OH− anions and O-H bond belonging to crystal bonded water molecules) from raw minerals to newly formed minerals have been studied, and the scheme of samples hydration has been defined. By thermal analysis, the ranges of the sample’s decomposition mechanisms were distinct: dehydration, dehydroxylation, decarbonation, and desulphuration. Using mass spectroscopic analysis of evolving gases during thermal analysis, the reaction mechanism of samples thermal decomposition has been determined. These results have both practical (architecture and construction) and fundamental (study of archaeological artifacts as ancient mortars) applications.

Hidden in plain sight: A microanalytical study of a Middle Stone Age ochre piece trapped inside a micromorphological block sample

AbstractA complete Middle Stone Age ochre piece was unintentionally collected and fully preserved within a micromorphological block sample intended to characterise a 74 ± 3 ka occupation horizon at Blombos Cave, South Africa. Previously recovered ochre pieces from the same stratigraphic context (Still Bay) have displayed intricate modification patterns with significant behavioural implications. Yet, in the case of the trapped ochre, a direct visual assessment of its surfaces was impossible due to its impregnated state. In this study, we demonstrate how we successfully reconstructed three‐dimensionally and characterised the block‐sampled ochre piece using high‐resolution microcomputed tomography scanning coupled with a range of microanalytical techniques, including optical petrography, micro‐Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopy, micro‐X‐ray fluorescence and micro‐Raman spectroscopy. Through a morphometric analysis of the score marks present on the trapped ochre's reconstructed surface, we were able to assess the types of modifications and the nature of the actions that created them. Our results show that a block sample‐based study of archaeological artefacts allows for a comprehensive assessment of their depositional and microcontextual setting, their external morphology and microtopography, as well as their internal texture and geochemical properties. We suggest that this type of context‐sensitive, multiscalar and multidisciplinary investigation may also prove beneficial in the study of conventionally recovered archaeological artefacts.

MODERN GRAPHIC DESIGN PROMOTING ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARTIFACTS AND SCIENTIFIC TEXTS

One of the most demanding and intriguing duties of the art of graphic design is the promotion of not only archaeological artifacts but scientific texts, as well. The skills and cognitive dexterities of the stakeholders involved in these projects exceed by far the common process of graphic designing. A most essential prerequisite is the experience which is based on a deep insight of Typography, Photography, Color Management, Graphic Design, good aesthetics, history and the perception to distinguish and pinpoint the unique artistic value of each and every artifact. So far, the study of archaeological artifacts appeared to be the exclusive right solely of archaeologists, but it is of utter importance that graphic designers, illustrators and photographers follow suit, since the promotion and the design process of a book or an application, is their field of study, as well. The entire process presupposes the ability to combine and unify modern typography, design elements, high quality photographs with newly-discovered artifacts that carry thousands of years of history. The daily process and collaboration with archaeologists is of most vital in order for the project to be successful. The parameters to be considered for just a single artifact, or a brief scientific paper referring to a brief historical period or a timeline are countless, some of which being the historical era, the civilization, the script style, language, religion, religious references and the like.

Non-destructive analyses of Late Roman and Byzantine glasses from ancient Sicily: Methodological challenges and measurable results

The study of glassmaking and glass trade in the Mediterranean region represents one of the most intriguing topics for Late Roman and Early Medieval archaeology. Until a decade ago, the identification of production centers and distribution patterns was mainly based on typological features and coloring of glass vessels. The growing popularity in the application of archaeometric techniques for characterization and study of archaeological artifacts has revolutionized the field of ancient glass studies. However, the critical lack of primary data and the limited use of analytical methods to determine the provenance of such materials has generated a gap in the knowledge, especially in important regions such as Sicily. The evidence emerged from two recent fieldworks brought the opportunity to test non-destructive techniques on an assemblage of ancient vessels to compare Late Roman and Early Medieval glass production technology and emphasizes evidence of continuity and discontinuity.

PERSPECTIVES OF ARCHAEOMETRIC ANALYSIS ON THE HELLENISTIC WARE FROM THE EAST ADRIATIC COAST

In this paper, the author discuses about the challenges and perspectives of archaeometric analysis on the Hellenistic ware on the East Adriatic based on hitherto published analysis. Diversity of Hellenistic types of ware – in shapes, colour of coatings and decorations – show differences in technological process, that can be understood through analysis in both archaeological and archaeometric methods. Te archaeometry increasingly plays an important role in the study of archaeological artefacts, and it is necessary to stress out the importance of the integrated archaeological – archaeometric methodological approach. Te author will propose, on the examples of Hellenistic ware production on East Adriatic coast, how to integrate archaeological and archaeometric analysis in researches and studies on ancient pottery production.

Morfología de la cementita en aceros arqueológicos que han sufrido incendio

We present a metallographic study of archaeological artefacts of steel, had been found in different archaeological sites, which characteristic microstructures reveal that have been affected by levels of fire. Study was performed using FEG (Field Emission Gun). In the laboratory, they are reproduced structures of steels archaeological.

The use of Hand-Held XRF for investigating the composition and corrosion of Roman copper-alloyed artefacts

The study of archaeological artefacts using deployed in situ analytical instruments presents some obvious advantages. Including, obtaining an immediate feedback that can be used to redefine in real-time fieldwork strategies. Ideally analytical field instruments should also have characteristics that limit damage to the studied artefact.Here, we present a case study on the use of a Hand Held XRF (HH XRF) device employed to define the composition of copper-alloyed artefacts retrieved from the Roman military site of Fectio in the vicinity of Vechten (The Netherlands). The goals of the study were to establish artefact preservation status, to investigate artefact elemental composition, and to compare the composition of artefact corrosion layer and uncorroded core.The results showed that the objects were in an overall good preservation state. Decuprification and dezincification represented the probable main corrosion processes resulting in the formation of smooth corrosion layers or patinas. The major elemental composition of the artefacts’ uncorroded cores showed a wide-range variability most likely associated with recycling practices of scrap metal during the 3rd century CE.

An Analytical Methodology for the Study of the Corrosion of Ferrous Archaeological Remains in Soils

In the context of the cultural heritage, a methodology based on field and laboratory approaches is developed for studying the long-term corrosion of iron. Moreover it has been adapted to the study of archaeological artefacts buried in anoxic soils in the specific case of in situ preservation. The environmental parameters are determined on the archaeological sites and artefacts are collected and characterized using complementary multi-scale techniques. Moreover, laboratory experiments are performed to locate the reaction sites inside the corrosion layer and to identify its electronic properties. The results allow estimation of a low corrosion rate for iron buried in an anoxic soil (under 2 μm/year) and the proposal of a mechanism based on a decoupling of the anodic and the cathodic sites. Then a diagnosis of the alteration state of the samples is established.

Field-portable Mössbauer spectroscopy on Earth, the Moon, Mars, and beyond

ABSTRACT Iron occurs naturally as Fe 2+ , Fe 3+ , and, to a lesser extent, as Fe 0 . Many fundamental (bio)geochemical processes are based on redox cycling between these oxidation states. Mossbauer spectroscopy provides quantitative information about the distribution of Fe among its oxidation states, identification of Fe-bearing phases, and relative distribution of Fe among those phases. Portable, miniaturised Mossbauer spectrometers were developed for NASA9s Mars Exploration Rovers (in operation since 2004) and provide a means for non-destructive, in-situ field investigations. On Mars, these instruments provided evidence for aqueous activity with implications for habitability, were applied in geological mapping of the landing sites, and helped to identify meteorites, for example. On Earth, they were used in field studies of green rust, the identification of air pollution sources, or the study of archaeological artefacts. Their application to in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) on the Moon has been demonstrated in a recent NASA field test of hardware for oxygen production. A new detector system in an advanced version of these instruments is based on Si Drift Detectors and permits the simultaneous acquisition of X-ray fluorescence spectra to determine elemental compositions.

Les comportements funéraires au Néolithique en France méridionale : une vue d’ensemble

The research presented in this paper is based on geographical zone chosen as context for a general discussion centred on a critical inventory of graves, burial places and funeral traditions within Neolithic communities between about 6000 and 2200 B.C. It proposes to define the characteristics and the evolution of funeral behaviours during the Neolithic times in Southern France, between about 6000 and 2200 B.C. Southern France has been considered in an extended definition, from Atlantic Ocean to the Alps, a territory constituted of 26 departments. In view of the extent of the territorial limits, the study was directly all-encompassing. It bears on 150 years of archaeological discoveries unevenly distributed on the Neolithic times. The study takes into consideration all the documentation published. The funeral traditions have been considered in the wide sense, that is tomb architecture, laying out and treatment of cadavers, study of archaeological artefacts. The study leads on to an interpretative outline of the funeral traditions whose development was closely linked to the social evolution of southern Neolithic communities. It researchs a social evolution beyond funeral behaviours, a power more and more destined to an elite who prefigures the protohistory.

The study of archaeological artifacts using proton induced X-rays

The Bartol-Delaware proton probe has been used extensively in the study of archaeological artifacts. An AN 2000 Van de Graaff accelerator provides the energetic protons which are brought out into the atmosphere through a small hole in a graphite tip. The induced characteristic X-rays are observed in a Si(Li) detector. For the elements from Na up to Fe or Cu a helium atmosphere and a proton energy of 1.3 MeV are used. For the observation of elements from Fe or Cu upward the proton energy is raised to 2.0 MeV, with air or nitrogen as the atmosphere, and selective filters are placed between the sample under study and the Si(Li) diode. The data displaying the capabilities of this technique were taken from selected samples from India (bronze), Jordan (glass beads) and Crete (potsherds). The importance of proper data analysis is also referred to with specific examples.