Speaker
Description
In this presentation, the non-invasive analytical investigation of ancient Islamic gold coins is presented. A two-fold methodology was deployed: first, portable X-ray fluorescence was used in order to analyse the elemental profile. Second, a smartphone-based procedure was developed and validated to obtain the CIELAB descriptors of the samples.
Based on the elemental profile, a stable content of gold was found around 90 % (w/w), followed by lower levels of siler. Also, some remarks about the origin of the coins are presented based on the elemental composition. Addressing the elemental description, the smartphone-based method was designed in order to tackle the main challenges associated to these cultural heritage artifacts, like glare. Upon comparison with a reference device, the proposed smartphone method allowed to obtain a objective description of the CIELAB descriptors of the ancient coins.
Overall, this presentation presents an approach to investigate valued historical samples from a non-destructive perspective. The combination of robust techniques like X-ray fluorescence coupled to new advances based on smartphones allows one to characterise these samples from a wider and more complete perspective. These results prove the potential that new technologies present in the field of analytical applications to the Cultural Heritage field.
| Presenting author | Roberto Sáez-Hernández |
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