Characterization of a South-Levantine bronze sculpture using position-sensitive prompt gamma activation analysis and neutron imaging

Complementary neutron-based elemental analytical and imaging methods, i.e. position sensitive prompt gamma activation analysis and neutron tomography, were used on a bronze sculpture group of suspected South-Levantine origin. Based on the radiography and tomography images, individual figurines were chosen for elemental analysis. Selected parts were analyzed, and the bronze alloy parts were found to contain 14 mass-percent tin and 84 mass-percent copper. The non-bronze pieces contain Fe, Cl, H, Pb, S, Mn and several minor and trace constituents. This study demonstrates the synergy of the visual and compositional data when drawing conclusions about such valuable and complex metallic artifacts. (author)