Applications of synchrotron radiation in archeology

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Applications of synchrotron radiation in archeology

Over the past years, a quasi-exponential increase in the number of research works on heritage has been observed at synchrotron facilities. New results are highly diverse and include a better understanding of objects, works and monuments' material alteration and conservation treatments, the study of object manufacture, provenance, and contribution to authentication, as well as the study of paleontological remains.

Source: SOLEIL: HALO, the Heritage and Archaeology Liaison Office

More on the topic:

	Monumental effort to save the threatened Viking treasures of Oseberg Press release of HZB, June 1, 2012 Researchers from the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo, working closely with Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), have been studying ancient wooden Viking artefacts at the synchrotron radiation source BESSY II. The conservators expect this non-destructive method will yield crucial insights into the degradation of these unique works of art. The wooden artefacts come from a Viking grave found in 1904 at Oseberg near the Oslo fjords. The Oseberg finding is considered one of the most important testimonies of the Viking Age and is one of the most frequently visited sights in Norway. Yet, they are now in serious danger of collapse because the wood fibres in the artefacts are disintegrating. The reason is the preservation method widely used a hundred years ago in Scandinavia, by which the artefacts were treated. Now, chemists and conservators of the project Saving Oseberg, which is receiving international support, are trying to save these national treasures of Norway. [more]

	Unravelling the threads of history ESRF Newsletter An international team of scientists from Israel, Germany and the United Kingdom has recently been working at the ESRF in order to unravel the threads of history. Wrappings of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls have been studied with synchrotron light. The X-rays will hopefully provide the team with precious information, such as the kind of fibres the textiles are made of and the type of pigment that was used to dye some of them. Both identifications, coupled with Carbon-14 dating, might eventually also date these textiles. [more]

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