Possibilities of Application of Synchrotronic Analysis Methods in the Study of Archaeological Materials
Abstract
The modern level of research of archaeological materials requires the involvement of a set of methods, including natural sciences. Among the latter, synchrotron methods of analysis of matter occupy a special place. Thise group of metods began to be used in archeology at the beginning of the 21st century, occupy a special place. This article provides an overview of synchrotron methods for analyzing archaeological materials that combine high accuracy, multitasking, and comparative accessibility. The authors consider the following methods: synchrotron X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray absorption of ideal structures, synchrotron tomography, synchrotron infrared spectrometry, Raman spectrometry. Descriptions of the physical basis of the methods are given. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods are evaluated, examples of their use in the study of archaeological material are given. The review was performed on the published research materials of the Elettra Synchrotron Trieste S.C.p.A. (Italy). The difference between the synchronous methods and their analogues based on alternative radiation sources is noted. Synchrotron analysis methods for the most part are not unique and have the same common drawback as the vast majority of non-synchrotron methods - the need for sampling, which leads to fragmentation of the artifact. However, the use of synchrotron radiation can significantly improve the accuracy, quality of data, speed up the process of collecting information, present data in an alternative form.
Keywords
synchrotron,
archaeology,
elemental composition,
micro-structure,
X-ray diffractometry,
X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy,
Raman spectroscopy,
tomography
Supporting agencies: This work was supported by the Center for Science and Education “New Archaeology”
About the Authors
R. V. Davydov
Novosibirsk State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Davydov Roman V., Junior Scientist, Humanitarian research laboratory, Humanitarian Institute; engineer, engineer, Project «New Archaeology»
1 Pirogova st., Novosibirsk 630090
Yu. S. Gubar
Novosibirsk State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Gubar Yulia S., graduate student, Humanitarian Institute
1 Pirogova st., Novosibirsk 630090
F. Zanini
Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A
Italy
Italy
Zanini Franco, PhD, Senior Scientist
Strada Statale 14 – km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste
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Davydov R.V., Gubar Yu.S., Zanini F. Possibilities of Application of Synchrotronic Analysis Methods in the Study of Archaeological Materials. Universum Humanitarium. 2020;(2):82-106. (In Russ.)
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