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

Five fragments of ancient gold objects belonging to Pietroasa “Cloşca 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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section B, Beam interactions with materials and atoms Beam interactions with materials and atoms, 2005-04, Vol.231 (1-4), p.541-545
Main Authors: Constantinescu, B., Bugoi, R., Cojocaru, V., Voiculescu, D., Grambole, D., Herrmann, F., Ceccato, D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Archaeometry
Gold
Inclusions
Micro-PIXE
PGE
Provenance
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Summary:Five fragments of ancient gold objects belonging to Pietroasa “Cloşca 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.
ISSN:0168-583X
1872-9584
DOI:10.1016/j.nimb.2005.01.114