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    • Analysis main techniques
      • X-ray Diffractometry
      • Mass spectrometry
      • Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
      • Infrared Spectrophotometry (IRS)
      • Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with Microanalysis by Electron Probe attached service.
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Analysis main techniques

The modern Archaeology to be exact, increasingly, the use of analytics instrumental methods of diverse own scientific disciplines (Geology, Biology, Physic, Chemistry, etc.).

The Archaeometry is the discipline that applies instrumental methods of different scientific disciplines to the archaeological materials. These techniques, although in some cases are destructive for the samples, allow obtaining very precise information of the intangible archaeological record and, therefore, provide information of great utility for archaeologists and historians. In this sense, we offer an objects analysis series and archaeological materials by means of instrumental techniques of high resolution.

Although in the archaeological disciplines not yet is very habitual the analysis of the materials itself, its study allow to deepen in the knowledge of the way of live and work of the past.

1. X-ray Diffractometry
2. Mass spectrometry
3. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
4. Infrared Spectrophotometry (IRS)
5. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with Microanalysis by Electron Probe attached service
6. Multiinstrumental Implementation Service
   

1.- X-ray Diffractometry.

Definition:

The x-ray diffraction allows identify crystalline elements. This type of qualitative analysis can be utilized to determine the minerals and rocks composition, some pigments, clays or products of metals corrosion. When the x-ray incise on a crystalline substance, is produced the diffraction, that is characteristic for each type of structure. The representation of the information that registers the diffractometer is expressed in a diagram. This it is compared with the obtained standards, also through x-ray diffraction, of crystalline matters acquaintances. Thus the crystalline elements of a sample are identified.

It is a destructive analysis method. Nevertheless, so alone some ten milligrams of material are needed and the sample can be kept or employed in other analysis.

Available Instrumentation:

• X-ray diffractometer Siemens D5000 with standard configuration and PSD
• X-ray diffractometer Siemens D5000 for textures and tensions, gifted with a goniometer with the circle of Euler open and independent movement in four circles
• Chamber of high temperature attachable to the goniometer in standard diffraction to 1500 ºC under control atmosphere
• Chamber high temperature attachable to the goniometer in standard diffraction to 150 ºC

Aplications:

1. Salts determinations in stones, potteries and other porous materials: Almost all the corrosion products of archaeological metals are composed minerals. Through x-ray diffraction the composed crystalline one is identified, as opposed to other types of analysis that only determine the metallic element.
2. Identification of the corrosion products of metals: Tthese types of analysis allow determine the physic stability and the conservation degree of a paint support to prevent or restore the apparition of plasters and fissures. It is a matter of an especially important aspect for the pigments conservation, while the support alteration implies its irreversible deterioration.
3. Paint supports analysis: these types of analysis allow determine the physic stability and the conservation degree of a paint support to prevent or restore the apparition of plasters and fissures. It is a matter of an especially important aspect for the pigments conservation, while the support alteration implies its irreversible deterioration.
4. Pigments determination and colourings analyses of all historical periods:Process determinations and preparation components of the applied colourings in an object. As an ensemble mural or parietals the characteristics of the inorganic materials allows sequencing different moments or phases elaboration. In association with elemental analysis methods (that only identify the chemical element but no the composed) the diffraction allow a perfect determination of the mineral constituents of the pigments. For example the azurite and the malachite only give a copper sign in the elemental analysis. Only the x-ray diffraction allows difference them. The same happens with the colourings elaborate from lead or iron pigments. The lead whites are particularly quite identifying by this method, in spite of the fact that in mass spectrometry or elemental analysis different elements hinder the detail recognition.
5. Pottery characterization.
6. Soils analysis.

Type of samples:

• Altered materials by corrosion
• Paint pigments on any support
• Paint supports
• Pottery
• Loose sediment

Requirements:

The necessary sample for the application of this type of analysis should be solid. The quantity depends on its quality, being sufficient, as guideline, a surface on the order of 1mm².

2.- Mass spectrometry

Definition:

Many organic substances constituted of archaeological materials, many of them of natural origin and presents in compound forms, can be identify by attachment of Chromatographic in gaseous or liquid phase and Mass Spectrometry. This analysis method allows separating the atoms of a substance in function of his mass, by his elemental identification and isotopic. This method is based in the beginning of the differential deflection through a magnetic field of an atoms spirt. Like the deviation is more devil when major is the atomic mass, is possible determine the relative quantities of the different isotopes of the sample that has proportionate the atoms spirt. In this way is possible to detect the presence of organic materials like oils, waxes, terpenic resins, polysaccharides gums and glues of animal and inorganically origin through micro samples up from archaeological and artistic objects.

Before his introduction in the spectrometry the sample has a previously preparation similar to a chromatographic analysis. The utilization of the Chromatographic attachment in gaseous or liquid phase with the Mass Spectrometry contribute information of great quality in relation to the techniques of realization of certain archaeological objects, so like a his degradation causes, that allow a better plan for restoration interventions to realize.

The spectrometry used by ArqueoLine has a Gases Chromatograph attached and a Liquid Chromatograph of high resolution.

Available instrumental:

• Mass spectrometry quadruple Hewlett Packard 5989A (double ionization source by electronic impact and chemical ionization (EI/CI), software with spectrums database)
• Gases Chromatograph Hewlett Packard 5890 for capillary columns
• Liquid Chromatograph of high resolution Hewlett Packard 1090 with automatic injector

Aplications:

1. Characterization of organic materials
2. Quantification of the chemist elements presents in a sample

Types of samples:

This type of samples can be from loose sediment proceeding from the inside of an object, of a storage pit or a room area.

Examples:

• Characterization of organic materials
• Study of mineralogical compound and the alloys of copper objects, iron and bronze

3.- Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry.

Definition:

The Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry is a useful technique for the studies of archaeological material because allow measure a lot of inorganic materials in different substances, like rocks and minerals, metals and alloys.

It is a technique of elemental quantitative analysis spectroscopy of high sensibility for the determination of the trace elements of a sample, of a less 1% concentration. Consist in vaporizes upon a flame or in an oven the analyse sample, normally in dissolution. It measure the absorption, by the dissociate atoms in the vapour, of luminous rays of specific wave longitude emitted by hollow-cathode lamps that they contain, each of them, one of the analyse elements. The quantity of each present element in the sample is, in this case, almost proportionally at the alloy.

Available instrumental:

• Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry with polarization Zeeman Hitachi Z-8200
• Graphite camera with automatic injector

Aplications:

1. Bones and teeth: Paleodiets determination with the measuring of Ca, Sr, Zn.
2. Roques i minerals: Trace elements analyses for his identification.
   3. Potteries: Analysis of the majors and minors constituent.
3. Potteries: Analysis of the majors and minors constituent.
4. Metals: bronze alteration analyses, the products effects of the silver cleaning.
5. Glasses: Study the degradation process of a glass object
   
6. Graphics documents:
   • Measuring of the minerals charge in the papers supports, in particular for study the pigments desadification methods
   • Measuring of the metal particles (Cu, Fe…) in the papers supports

Types of samples:

1. Bones and teeth
2. Rocks and minerals
3. Potteries
4. Metals
5. Glasses
6. Graphics documents

4.- Infrared Spectrophotometry (IRS).

Definition:

Analyses method based in the absorption, reflection or infrared rays emitted by a substance. Those phenomenons that are relation with the interatomics vibrations in the molecules o crystals, allows identify his mineralogical composition and his alteration condition.

Available instrumental:

• Infrared Spectrophotometer FT Nicolet 510
• Infrared Spectrophotometer FT Midac Prospect
• Close Infrared Spectrophotometer FT Mattson Galaxy

Aplications:

1. Characterization of inorganic soils and habitat or storing structures
2. Characterization of constructive materials

Types of samples:

Loose sediment

5.- Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with Microanalysis by Electron Probe attached service.

Definition:

In the Scanning Electrons Microscopes the luminous rays that are projected upon an object are electrons beams that scan the object and use the electric current resultant of the scanning for to do appear a real time the image of this object in a television.

The object preparation is very simple (void metallization). The images that can be keep in digital support, jpg format or similar, are characterizes by his enlargement (until 300.000 increases), a great resolution and field profundity.

The Microanalysis by Electron Probe associate to SEM it is an analysis device in which the polish surface of a sample, pumped by an electrons beam, emit X-ray which intensity it is measured by a counter that allow an accurate analysis (micrometer details) and can give, by scanning, an image of the distribution of each chemical element analysed upon the surface sample.

Available instrumental:

• Scanning Electron Microscope Jeol JSM6400
• Electrons retrodispersals detector
• Analyses equipment by separation energy rays X LINK eXLII, with elements light detector
• Color videoprinter cp100
• Microanalyses Energy System 200

Sample preparations equipment:

• Dehydration unit by critical point Bal-Tec CPD030
• Cathode pulverization equipment Bal-Tec SCD-004
• Cover unit of high void by carbon evaporation Bal-Tec CEA-035

Aplications:

1. Photography service for certain archaeological remains by SEM, of great interest for charcoals remains or for obtaining taphonomic and zooarchaeological information previously observed in the binocular lens.
2. Analyses of all type of paint supports (parietal, ceramic, mosaic, linen, parchments.): These types of analyses allow determine the physic stability and the conservation rate of a paint support for prevent or restoration the apparition of plasters and fissures. Likewise, allow a chemist and biological characterization of the alteration process. It is an important aspect for the pigments conservation, in the way that the support alteration implicates his irreversible deterioration.
3. Colourings analyses of all the historical periods: process determinations and preparation components of the applied colourings in an object. In ensemble murals or parietals the characteristics of the inorganic materials allows sequencing different moments or phases elaboration.
4. Study of the technical process of engravers: know the sequential elaboration process of the parietal engravers by the traces observation and his realization forms through the optical microscope observation and moulds electronic engraves.
5. Elemental characterization of potteries, mortars and building materials.
6. Metals:
   • Study of the alloys structures (grains forms)
   • Segregation detection of the defective surface grains
   • Study of corrosions
7. Glasses:
   • Chemist analyses (melting and frosted material, colourings…)
   • Determination of fabrication techniques
   • Characterization of crystalline phases in the glass mass
8. Textiles:
   • Fibres identifications
   • Dyeing and agglutinants analyses

Types of samples:

1. Pigments pictòrics sobre qualsevol suport
2. Sediment solt
3. Motles de gravats realitzats amb silicona
4. Ceràmica
5. Metalls
6. Glasses
7. Textiles

Requeriments:

The necessary sample for the application of this type of analysis must be solid. The quantity depends of his quality, been enough, like general norm, a surface in order of 1mm².

6.- Multiinstrumental Implementation Service

Service:

Design, assembly, execution and microenvironment control monitoring of karstic caves for the development of conservation programs and ensemble caves painting revaluation.

Aplications:

The monitor control of temperature, dampness, CO2 and air circulation in a cavity allow know the optimal conditions of his conservation to plan the ideal conditions of a public aperture. So, through the following of several regimes and visits charge this service allows de development of interpretative programs of revaluation with organization models and public access management with guarantees of the ensemble cave painting conservation.