Dating archaeological copper/bronze artifacts by using the voltammetry of microparticles

Abstract

A method for dating copper/bronze archaeological objects aged in atmospheric environments is proposed based on the specific signals for cuprite and tenorite corrosion products measured through the voltammtry of microparticles method. The tenorite/cuprite ratio increased with the corrosion time and fitted to a potential law that yielded a calibration curve usable for dating purposes.

Keywords: analytical chemistry; bronze; coins; copper; voltammetry.