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The Glory of Ancient Weapons and Armors: Neutron Imaging and Diffraction Methods in Modern Archaeology

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Neutron Methods for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

Part of the book series: Neutron Scattering Applications and Techniques ((NEUSCATT))

Abstract

Neutron-imaging techniques are emerging as an innovative and attractive investigative approach to characterise ancient artefacts without the need for sampling or invasive procedures. In this chapter, a selection of case studies developed in collaboration with several Research Groups and Museum Institutions will show case the potential of neutron imaging technique to investigate a particular class of Heritage materials: metals. Despite neutron technique can be widely applied to different artefacts, i.e. pottery, sculpture, paintings, we decided to focus on this class since the application of neutron imaging technique have disclosed a unique insight into the investigation of their composition and microstructure. Until recently, this task was mainly fulfilled basing on standard analytical techniques like, for example, metallography. Traditional analysis, however, though very accurate, is not always suitable for rare and unique objects of high scientific and economic value.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Neutron instruments are presented and described in part II “Experimental methods”.

  2. 2.

    Neutron instruments are presented and described in part II “Experimental methods”.

  3. 3.

    Neutron instruments are presented and described in part II “Experimental methods”.

  4. 4.

    Neutron instruments are presented and described in part II “Experimental methods”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bragg Institute, ANSTO, Lucas High, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    F. Salvemini

  2. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy

    F. Grazzi

Authors
  1. F. Salvemini
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  2. F. Grazzi
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Correspondence to F. Grazzi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Applied Materials, Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Nikolay Kardjilov

  2. Physics Department, NAST Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy

    Giulia Festa

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Salvemini, F., Grazzi, F. (2017). The Glory of Ancient Weapons and Armors: Neutron Imaging and Diffraction Methods in Modern Archaeology. In: Kardjilov, N., Festa, G. (eds) Neutron Methods for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage. Neutron Scattering Applications and Techniques. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33163-8_5

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