engleski

The Role of Plasma Spectrometry in Archaeometallurgical Iron Samples Profiling

Advanced instrumental analytical methods are adopted as the most helpful tools in the chemical characterization of archaeological artefacts.[1] Notable advantages of atomic spectrometry methods based on inductively coupled plasma source with optical or mass detection (ICP-AES, ICP-MS) lay in reliable and high dimensional quantitative elemental characterization of archaeological materials. In archaeometallurgical studies that are focused on ancient iron production these methods are beneficial such in detection of trace and ultra-trace elements.[2] In this work, the combination of elements detection methods (XRF, ICP-AES , ICP-MS), surface analysis (SEM-EDS), and chemometric methods is presented in analysis of early-iron production artefacts. The samples were randomly collected from stored humps of material that was excavated in Turoplje region, NW Croatia under supervision of Zagreb City Museum. Different kind of slags and pit furnace remains is analysed on major elements content (Fe, Si, Al, Ca, K, Mg, P, Mn, Ti) to trace constituents (Cu, Cr, Ni, Mo, Pb, V, Zn, Zr, and REE’s). [3] By use of statistical analysis (PCA and HCA) on enlarged set of measured data, the similar features of heterogeneous material become clearly discernible. Three types of slags namely, iron-rich tap slag, bloom slag, and ceramic-rich slag are successfully recognized. Surface mapping by SEM-EDS, along with elemental signature and performed statistical treatment, enables identification of exception in a set of slag material. Combination of different analytical tools allows identification of unknown sample, which was identified as a non-processed bog iron ore. Moreover, the combination of analytical and statistical methods facilitate recognition of inhomogeneous slag remains from archaeometallurgical production sites. The results are especially valuable for discrimination between numerous mutually similar samples that were scattered at excavation site. The presented results are of great importance in multidisciplinary studies concerning early-iron production in Pannonic area.

chemical characterization ; ICP-AES, SEM-EDS

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