Gjornâl Furlan des SiencisFriulian Journal of Science

No. 13 (2010): GFS
RESEARCH ARTICLES

Ancient fibulae and contemporary scientific riddles Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX) between archaeology and the physical chemistry of materials

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  • ALESSANDRO BACHIORRINI
ALESSANDRO BACHIORRINI
Formerly Professor of Materials Science, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.

Keywords

  • SEM,
  • EDAX,
  • bronze,
  • aluminium,
  • microanalysis

How to Cite

[1]
BACHIORRINI, A. 2010. Ancient fibulae and contemporary scientific riddles Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX) between archaeology and the physical chemistry of materials. Friulian Journal of Science. 13, 13 (Jan. 2010), 143–150.

Abstract

Analysis by SEM and EDAX of the remains of two ancient fibulae, identical in material (bronze), design (leech-shaped), cut and size has revealed that, despite appearances to the contrary, they were not cast in the same mould, presenting substantial differences in the microstructure and composition of the alloy. Moreover, EDAX investigation has produced an unexpected result, as one of the two alloys has been found to present little less than 4% aluminium, despite having been buried for over 2000 years in a ground rich in halides, fairly acidic and constantly waterlogged.

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