A case study for scientific research prior to conservation of marine metal artefacts

A case study for scientific research prior to conservation of marine metal artefacts

van der Stok-Nienhuis, Janneke (Universiteit van Amsterdam)
Kuiper, Elisabeth (Universiteit van Amsterdam)
Beentjes, Tonny (Universiteit van Amsterdam)
Joosten, Ineke (Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands)
van Eijck, L. (TU Delft RST/Neutron and Positron Methods in Materials)
Zhou, Z. (TU Delft RST/Neutron and Positron Methods in Materials)
van Bommel, Maarten (Universiteit van Amsterdam)

2021

A rare find of a high-status 17th century oval box, retrieved from a shipwreck, provided a unique opportunity to research the construction and finishing layers of an object that is untouched for 350 years. This case study was used to demonstrate the extent of data that can be gained from analytical techniques prior to conservation. The amalgam-gilt brass object was studied by optical and electron microscopy, X-radiography, micro-computed X-ray tomography, neutron tomography, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, proton-induced X-ray emission and gas chromatography. The results have led to a characterisation of the manufacturing methods used on the box and to a better understanding of the practicality of modern analytical methods and techniques in (maritime) archaeological research.

17th century
Conservation
Gilt brass
Maritime archaeology
Possibilities and limitations analytical techniques
Technical art history

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:15d3760c-89f3-4189-aabf-8c1b91e075c3

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.102909

2352-409X

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 37

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2021 Janneke van der Stok-Nienhuis, Elisabeth Kuiper, Tonny Beentjes, Ineke Joosten, L. van Eijck, Z. Zhou, Maarten van Bommel