Selected Papers from “The 8th International Conference on Synchrotron Radiation and Neutrons in Art and Archaeology”

A special issue of Heritage (ISSN 2571-9408).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 January 2019) | Viewed by 20364

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Mary Rose Trust, College Road, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LX, UK
Interests: materials science; heritage science; synchrotron techniques

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Guest Editor
Science & Technology Facilities Council, Harwell Oxford, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
Interests: archaeometry; neutron instrumentation; material science

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Guest Editor
Diamond Light Source Ltd, Diamond House, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, UK
Interests: X-ray microscopy; X-ray spectroscopy; infraRed to elucidate the atomic and molecular structures in Life and Physical Sciences, including multidisciplinary applications in Cultural Heritage and Archaeology

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Guest Editor
Diamond Light Source Ltd, Diamond House, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, UK
Interests: synchrotron radiation instrumentation; X-ray absorption spectroscopy; condensed matter physics; applications of XAS to complex materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue encourages the submission of contributions presented at the SR2A-2018 conference focusing on the innovative use of synchrotron and neutron radiation to investigate artistic and archaeological materials and artefacts. The sensitivity, specificity and microanalysis capability of the non-destructive investigation technologies developed at the synchrotron and neutron facilities are powerful tools for studying the complex mechanisms and structures of artefacts, providing precious information on manufacturing, deterioration processes and conservation methods that complement and refine conventional laboratory techniques.

Therefore, research articles addressing the following (not exhaustive) list of topics are welcomed:

  • Technique Advancements for Synchrotron Radiation and Neutrons
  • Multi-technique Analytical Processes and Complementary Methods
  • Impact of Analytical Techniques
  • Conservation and Monitoring methods
  • Materials and Processes
  • Archaeological and Paleontological Advances

Prof. Eleanor Schofield
Dr. Antonella Scherillo
Dr. Gianfelice Cinque
Dr. Giannantonio Cibin
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Heritage is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Archaeometry
  • Conservation
  • Archaeology
  • Palaeontology
  • Heritage Science
  • Cultural Heritage

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 3982 KiB  
Article
Crystallographic Studies in Cultural Heritage: Solid State Behaviour of Inorganic Pigments
by Ulrich Baisch, Marie Camilleri, Duncan Micallef, Timo Rhauderwiek, Norbert Stock, Rebecca Spiteri and Liana Vella-Zarb
Heritage 2019, 2(1), 967-975; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage2010063 - 20 Mar 2019
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4463
Abstract
Most inorganic pigments generally consist of the colouring agents such as hematite (red) or glauconite (green) together with white pigments, including alumosilicates and calcium compounds. This usually leads to a wide colour range dependent on the exact percentage of the colouring agent in [...] Read more.
Most inorganic pigments generally consist of the colouring agents such as hematite (red) or glauconite (green) together with white pigments, including alumosilicates and calcium compounds. This usually leads to a wide colour range dependent on the exact percentage of the colouring agent in the solid mixture. Some inorganic pigments have been in use for thousands of years due to their easy availability and desirable attributes: ochres have been in use since prehistoric times to produce cave and rock paintings, and are still used to this day; terra verde (green earth) first made its appearance in decorations and frescos in the first century B.C. Whether these pigments are used in frescos, cave ornaments or paintings, shortcomings in their particular hue, transparency or fading character very often inspire research towards a better understanding of these physical characteristics. We present a study in which crystal engineering was applied in an attempt to tackle such problems. The solubility of Venetian red ochre and its solid state behaviour at higher temperatures were investigated and compared with similar studies on terra verde. Hot stage microscopy showed that, although the pigment retained its red colour upon heating, some crystallites lost transparency, indicating a phase change. The actual colouring agents hematite and goethite in Venetian red ochre are insoluble in most solvents and solvent mixtures. However, the solvent was found to have a significant effect on the undissolved pigment and other components. The pigment examined in this study was a mixture of microcrystalline powders with smaller quantities of larger crystallites thought to be gypsum. Multi-elemental analysis by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy showed the most abundant elements to be sulphur, calcium, iron, magnesium, silicon and aluminium. Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated the presence of metal oxides, metal carbonates and alumosilicates. Powder X-ray diffraction experiments helped to identify and quantify the proportions of hematite and goethite in four different pigments. Full article
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12 pages, 1928 KiB  
Article
An Archaeometallurgical Investigation on Metal Samples from the Chiaravalle Cross
by Daniela Di Martino, Enrico Perelli Cippo, Antonella Scherillo, Zsolt Kasztovszky, Ildikó Harsányi, Imre Kovács, Zoltán Szőkefalvi-Nagy, Roberta Cattaneo and Giuseppe Gorini
Heritage 2019, 2(1), 836-847; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage2010055 - 9 Mar 2019
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3140
Abstract
The production and manufacturing techniques of metals involve expertise, and the study of ancient artifacts relies on interdisciplinary skills. Metalworking processes used in the production of jewelry masterpieces can, for example, give indications on the provenance of an ancient object of an unknown [...] Read more.
The production and manufacturing techniques of metals involve expertise, and the study of ancient artifacts relies on interdisciplinary skills. Metalworking processes used in the production of jewelry masterpieces can, for example, give indications on the provenance of an ancient object of an unknown origin and the techniques used. In this regard, metallic samples from the Chiaravalle Cross (a beautiful processional cross with a complex structure, dating to the 13th century) have been studied, combining bulk and point measurements. Neutron-based experiments (like Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis and neutron diffraction) provide the bulk of the elemental and mineralogical composition, while particle induced X-ray emission analyses evidenced important details on its manufacturing techniques. Full article
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19 pages, 23526 KiB  
Article
Recovering Past Reflections: X-ray Fluorescence Imaging of Electrocleaned 19th Century Daguerreotypes
by Madalena S. Kozachuk, Tsun-Kong Sham, Ronald R. Martin, Andrew J. Nelson, Ian Coulthard, Louisa Smieska and Arthur R. Woll
Heritage 2019, 2(1), 568-586; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage2010037 - 12 Feb 2019
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3507
Abstract
The first commercially viable photographic image, the daguerreotype, captured images for a span of approximately 20 years (1839–1860). DeDterioration now disfigures many of these valuable images. One proposed restoration method is an electrochemical process. However, its safety and effectiveness are still under debate [...] Read more.
The first commercially viable photographic image, the daguerreotype, captured images for a span of approximately 20 years (1839–1860). DeDterioration now disfigures many of these valuable images. One proposed restoration method is an electrochemical process. However, its safety and effectiveness are still under debate within the conservation community as the effects of this treatment, and its physical and chemical impact on the daguerreotype image, have not yet been analyzed in depth. This study used synchrotron-based micro-X-ray fluorescence to map the elemental distribution pre- and post-electrocleaning on 19th century daguerreotypes using both soft and hard incident X-rays. X-ray absorption spectroscopy was used to probe local chemistry before and after cleaning. Two different electro-treatment methods were compared: the original method proposed by Barger and a second put forward by Wei. When used correctly, both processes significantly reduced the S and Cl surface contamination without dulling the surface. However, both electrochemical methods used in this study resulted in a loss of Hg and Au from the surface. In all cases, the Hg distribution tracks with image particle density allowing the retrieval of full portraits from entirely corroded daguerreotypes, suggesting that Hg concentration may be a useful proxy for the original image. Full article
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8 pages, 5529 KiB  
Article
Using Negative Muons as a Probe for Depth Profiling Silver Roman Coinage
by Bethany V. Hampshire, Kevin Butcher, Katsu Ishida, George Green, Don M. Paul and Adrian D. Hillier
Heritage 2019, 2(1), 400-407; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage2010028 - 29 Jan 2019
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4201
Abstract
Debasement of silver Roman coins is a well-known phenomenon and understanding the quality of ancient silver coinages can provide an idea about the underlying fiscal condition of the issuing states. These coins are made from a silver-copper alloy, the surfaces of which were [...] Read more.
Debasement of silver Roman coins is a well-known phenomenon and understanding the quality of ancient silver coinages can provide an idea about the underlying fiscal condition of the issuing states. These coins are made from a silver-copper alloy, the surfaces of which were deliberately enhanced at the mints by a process of surface-enrichment to give them the appearance of being made of pure silver. Therefore, any surface analysis would provide a composition of the silver-copper alloy that would not be representative of the original alloy from which the coin blank was made; the result would be too high in silver. However, the bulk of the sample, the interior, should provide a composition that is true to the original alloy. Elemental analysis using negative muons has been used to provide a depth dependent compositional, completely non-destructive analysis of a silver-copper alloy denarius of the empress Julia Domna datable to 211–217 CE. The composition of the coin, beyond the surface enrichment layer, is 51 ± 1.8 % copper and 49 ± 1.9% silver, taken at a muon depth of 402 ± 61 µm. The surface enrichment layer is approximately 190 µm thick. Full article
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Review

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14 pages, 4439 KiB  
Review
Tapping into Synchrotron and Benchtop Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy for Expanding Studies of Complex Polysaccharides and their Interactions in Anoxic Archaeological Wood
by Mary K. Phillips-Jones and Stephen E. Harding
Heritage 2019, 2(1), 121-134; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage2010009 - 9 Jan 2019
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4245
Abstract
Circular dichroism (CD) (and synchrotron circular dichroism (SCD)) spectroscopy is a rapid, highly sensitive technique used to investigate structural conformational changes in biomolecules in response to interactions with ligands in solution and in film. It is a chiroptical method and at least one [...] Read more.
Circular dichroism (CD) (and synchrotron circular dichroism (SCD)) spectroscopy is a rapid, highly sensitive technique used to investigate structural conformational changes in biomolecules in response to interactions with ligands in solution and in film. It is a chiroptical method and at least one of the interacting molecules must possess optical activity (or chirality). In this review, we compare the capabilities of CD and SCD in the characterisation of celluloses and lignin polymers in archaeological wood. Cellulose produces a range of spectral characteristics dependent on environment and form; many of the reported transitions occur in the vacuum-ultraviolet region (< 180 nm) most conveniently delivered using a synchrotron source. The use of induced CD in which achiral dyes are bound to celluloses to give shifted spectra in the visible region is also discussed, together with its employment to identify the handedness of the chiral twists in nanocrystalline cellulose. Lignin is one target for the design of future consolidants that interact with archaeological wood to preserve it. It is reportedly achiral, but here we review several studies in which CD spectroscopy has successfully revealed lignin interactions with chiral enzymes, highlighting the potential usefulness of the technique in future research to identify new generation consolidants. Full article
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