Archaeometry
Archaeometry consists of the application of scientific techniques and methodologies to archaeological material to give insights on structural, textural, chemical and mineralogical compositions. The application of petrographical approach to archaeological material has long been accepted in the scientific and archaeological environment, since the approach to reconstruct the process for the formation of the natural rocks can be completely applied to the formation of “artificial rocks” such as slags and ceramics for example. As well as the metallurgical approach to modern metallic artefacts can be applied to the study of ancient ones.
The difference between archaeometry and modern material science is mainly due to the fact that the former reconstructs the processes backwards, having at disposal the waste and the products of the processes but not the processes themselves, while on the contrary modern material science has the process available and needs to improve the understanding on its phisico-chemical conditions in order to improve the process itself.
In this specific case the affirmed expertises of ETC in modern metallurgy is used to produce a reconstruction of the processes of:
Iron production in Ireland during the Iron and the Middle Age. The sites under investigation are the ones excavated during the National Road Scheme and they are constantly reported for the use of archaeologists and specialists, as well as published yearly in the NRS monographies.
Iron production in southern Italy during Late Roman and Eraly Middle Ages The sites under investigation are spread in the northern part of the region Apulia and describe the evolution of the iron production technologies from the Roman times to the early 12th century.
Copper alloys, lead and silver production during the Middle Age in Central Italy. The sites under investigation are the Adrian Athenaeum, Piazza Venezia, Crypta Balbi in Rome, Santa Cristina in Caio di Buonconvento (Siena).
Lead production in Roman and Medieval time in Ceredigion, Wales. The sites under investigation are located around the prehistoric site of Copa Hill.
Roman silver production in Rio Tinto, Spain
XIX century silver production in Queensland, Australia
To do so analytical techniques such as XRD, XRF and SEM are used to produce a detailed description of the petrography, mineralogy and chemistry of the waste material of the metallurgical process as well as of the technical ceramics used (tuyeres and crucibles). Metallographic techniques are used for the study of artefacts to reconstruct the ancient iron working techniques.
