Analysis of archaeological metals. The place of XRF and PIXE in the determination of technology and provenance

Abstract

Problems concerning the determination of technology and provenance of archaeological metals are presented using several historical examples and considering the heterogeneity of the alloys. PIXE and XRF are compared to other techniques (PIGE, nuclear activation, LA-ICP-MS); their limitations and complementary aspects in obtaining historical information are discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.