Non-invasive chemical and phase analysis of Roman bronze artefacts from Thamusida (Morocco)

Elisabetta Gliozzo; Rossella Arletti; Laura Cartechini; Silvia Imberti; Winfried A Kockelmann; Isabella Memmi; Romano Rinaldi; Robert H Tykot

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2010.07.004

Non-invasive chemical and phase analysis of Roman bronze artefacts from Thamusida (Morocco)

Appl Radiat Isot. 2010 Dec;68(12):2246-51. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2010.07.004. Epub 2010 Jul 14.

Authors

Elisabetta Gliozzo¹, Rossella Arletti, Laura Cartechini, Silvia Imberti, Winfried A Kockelmann, Isabella Memmi, Romano Rinaldi, Robert H Tykot

Affiliation

¹ Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Siena, via Laterina 8, 53100 Siena, Italy. gliozzo@unisi.it

PMID: 20656498
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2010.07.004

Abstract

A repertory of Roman military bronze equipment (1st- 3rd century AD) found at the archaeological site of Thamusida (Rabat, Morocco) was analysed by non-destructive X-ray fluorescence and time of flight neutron diffraction (ToF-ND). Most objects are made of leaded alloys, where copper is combined with tin and/or zinc and, in six cases, to arsenic as well. A mixed technology was employed, making a limited use of "pure" semi-finished materials if compared with the large utilization of recycled materials (brass and bronze).