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Determination of major components and trace elements in ancient silver by thermal neutron activation analysis

  • Thermal Neutron Activation and Radiochemistry
  • Published:
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Abstract

Thermal neutron activation of minute samples of ancient silver objects has provided useful information concerning their silver, copper and gold content. The results of such analysis of eighteen Sasanian silver objects are discussed together with consideration of the sampling problems involved. In order to extend these measurements to include other elements, an isotopic exchange system has been developed to separate other activities present in irradiated silver specimens quantitatively from the silver, copper and gold activities. Following exchange with cuprous and silver iodides it has been possible to count quantitatively the activity of fourteen additional elements: As, Br, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Ir, K, Mn, Na, Sb, Sc, Se and Zn.

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References

  1. E. V. Sayre, P. Meyers, Nuclear Activation Applied to Materials of Art and Archaeology, Supplement to Art and Archaeology Technical Abstracts, 8 (1971) No. 4, 115.

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  2. E. V. Sayre, Activation Analysis Applications in Art and Archaeology, in Advances in Activation Analysis, Vol. II, J. M. A. Lenihan, S. J. Thomson and V. P. Guinn (Eds), Academic Press, New York, 1972, 155.

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  3. A. A. Gordus, Rapid Non-destructive Activation Analysis of Silver in Coins, in Science and Archaeology, R. H. Brill (Ed.), MIT Press, 1971, 145.

  4. A. A. Gordus, Neutron Activation Analysis of Streaks from Coins and Metallic Works of Art, in Application of Scientific Methods in the Analysis of Works of Art, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, June 1970, in the press.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N. Y., (USA)

    P. Meyers

  2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N. Y., (USA)

    L. van Zelst

  3. Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, N. Y., (USA)

    L. van Zelst

  4. Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, N. Y., (USA)

    E. V. Sayre

  5. the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, New York, N. Y., (USA)

    E. V. Sayre

Authors
  1. P. Meyers
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  2. L. van Zelst
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  3. E. V. Sayre
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Additional information

Research supported in part by the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission.

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Meyers, P., van Zelst, L. & Sayre, E.V. Determination of major components and trace elements in ancient silver by thermal neutron activation analysis. J. Radioanal. Chem. 16, 67–78 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02517852

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02517852

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