João Carlos Senna-Martinez

Characterisation of Late Bronze Age large size shield nails by EDXRF, micro-EDXRF and X-ray digital radiography

In the present study six exceptional large size metallic nails, a dagger and a sickle from the Late Bronze Age archaeological site of Figueiredo das Donas (Central Portugal) have been analysed by EDXRF, micro-EDXRF and X-ray digital radiography for the study of material composition and technology of fabrication. The combination of these analytical and examination techniques showed that all artefacts are made of bronze with As, Sb and Pb impurities, and that the nails were most likely manufactured using the casting-on technique. These results reinforce the use of binary bronze by Late Bronze Age in the region, and the incorporation of new fabrication technologies that resulted from ancient spheres of interaction.

Orientalizing Artifacts from Fraga dos Corvos Rock Shelter in North Portugal

An unusual set of metallic artifacts with orientalizing character, attributed to a late period of the Late Bronze Age (LBA), was found in a shelter in Northern Portugal. Conventional and micro-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses have been performed to determine the metal composition. The microstructures of some artifacts have also been studied under optical and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that most of the items are made of a copper–tin alloy with low lead content and show a recrystallized grained microstructure.

Fibulae from an Iron Age Site in Portugal

Castro de Pragança is located in Estremadura province, on the Portuguese Western coast. Although most of the metal artifacts found in the site can be dated to Copper and Bronze Ages, an unusual set of nine fibulae was recovered. They can be dated to the period from the Iron Age until the Roman conquest. Nondestructive micro-EDXRF elemental analyses showed that five of the fibulae are made of bronze (Cu-Sn alloy), while four fibulae have a polymetallic character and are made both of bronze and iron. This fact indicates exceptionally important archaeological and technological issues.