Published April 2005 | Version v1
Journal article

Romanian ancient gold objects provenance studies using micro-beam methods: the case of 'Pietroasa' hoard

  • 1. National Institute for Nuclear Physics and Engineering 'Horia Hulubei', P.O. Box MG-6, Bucharest (Romania)
  • 2. Research Center Rossendorf Inc., Institute for Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research, P.O. Box 510119, D-01314 Dresden (Germany)
  • 3. Istituto Nazionali di Fisica Nucleare, Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, Padova (Italy)

Description

Five fragments of ancient gold objects belonging to Pietroasa 'Closca cu Puii de Aur' ('The Golden Brood Hen with Its Chickens') Romanian hoard were analysed using the micro-PIXE (particle induced X-ray emission) technique. The purpose of the study was to gain some more knowledge regarding the metal provenance by determining the presence of PGE (Platinum Group Elements) and other high-temperature melting point trace elements (Ta, Nb, Cr) at a micrometric scale. Ta and Nb inclusions (micrometric areas of composition different from the surroundings) on three samples and Pd inclusions on one sample were found. The measurements led to some conclusions for the possible gold ore sources of Pietroasa treasury: the South-Ural Mountains, Nubia (Sudan) and/or Anatolian deposits and Roman imperial coins

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1016/j.nimb.2005.01.114;
PII
S0168-583X(05)00135-7;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section B, Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
Journal Volume
231
Journal Issue
1-4
Journal Page Range
p. 541-545
ISSN
0168-583X
CODEN
NIMBEU

Conference

Title
9. international conference on nuclear microprobe technology and applications
Acronym
ICNMTA-2004
Dates
13-17 Sep 2004
Place
Cavtat (Croatia)

Optional Information

Copyright
Copyright (c) 2005 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.