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Metallurgical study on some Sasanian silver coins in Sistan Museum

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Abstract

Elemental analyses and microstructural studies of historical metal artifacts provide researchers with invaluable and priceless information about metal extraction technology and the procedure of creating artifacts. In addition, the information is helpful for knowing about the metallurgical processes of the artifacts. This study was conducted by a microscopic examination and elemental analyses of seven Sasanian silver coins preserved in the Sistan Anthropology Museum, Iran. For the purpose of this study, three methods were employed: first, the proton induced X-ray emission microanalysis (micro-PIXE), to determine the main and trace elements of the coins; second, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), to perform elemental analysis to identify impurities of the metal; and third, microstructural analysis of the coins which was carried out with an optical microscope (OM). The elemental analyses identified Ca, Cu, Ag, Au, and Pb in the coins. The high quantity of Ag in samples validated the application of advanced and accurate cupellation technology for refining silver and separating impurities from raw ore. The gold concentration in the coins indicated the use of non-galena ore for silver extraction. Additionally, the microstructural analyses of samples pointed to the application of thermo-mechanical processes on coins.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Ali Asadi (archeologist) is gratefully acknowledged for providing important information. Authors wish to thank BA. Narges Mortazavi for editing the text. The authors would like to express their special thanks of gratitude to B. Rahmani, responsible for SEM laboratory in Razi Foundation, Tehran, Iran.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Art Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Art University of Isfahan, P. O. Box 1744, Isfahan, Iran

    Mohammad Mortazavi

  2. Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Zabol, P. O. Box 98615-538, Zabol, Iran

    Sogand Naghavi & Reza Khanjari

  3. Van de Graaff Laboratory, Physics and Accelerators Research School, Nuclear Science & Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), P. O. Box 11365-3486, Tehran, Iran

    Davoud Agha-Aligol

Authors
  1. Mohammad Mortazavi
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  2. Sogand Naghavi
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  3. Reza Khanjari
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  4. Davoud Agha-Aligol
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Correspondence to Sogand Naghavi.

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Mortazavi, M., Naghavi, S., Khanjari, R. et al. Metallurgical study on some Sasanian silver coins in Sistan Museum. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 10, 1831–1840 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-017-0511-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-017-0511-8

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