An evaluation of portable X-ray fluorescence on applied blue faience glazes : a study using replicate glazes of the Late, Ptolemaic and Roman period in Egypt
This thesis presents a systematic evaluation of energy dispersive hand-held X-ray fluorescence (HH-XRF) on the semi-quantitative net peak analysis (NPA) of Late, Ptolemaic and Roman Period (644 BC to AD 395) faience from Egypt. The study develops a non-destructive protocol in the analysis of faience glazes using HH-XRF, a relatively recent technological innovation in cultural heritage. The benefits (e.g. portable, non-destructive, non-radiological source (i.e. X-ray tube)) and limitations (e.g. depth of analysis, layered analytes (i.e. glaze on body)) of HH-XRF are examined. Replicated faience glazes were produced as a part of the HH-XRF evaluation. Glaze recipes were derived from the literature involving experimental archaeology and instrumental analysis. One body and three glaze batches were produced that were aesthetically and structurally similar to the archaeological material. The glaze batches were fired on raw and bisque-fired bodies in a raw and prefritted state to produce 30 replicated glaze samples. The HH-XRF parameters (e.g. voltage, current, acquisition time) were evaluated using Corning Glass B as the known analyte. Optimum results were based on a compromise (bivariate coefficient) between high
Wilkins, James
An evaluation of portable X-ray fluorescence on applied blue faience glazes : a study using replicate glazes of the Late, Ptolemaic and Roman period in Egypt. This thesis presents a systematic evaluation of energy dispersive hand-held X-ray fluorescence (HH-XRF) on the semi-quantitative net peak analysis (NPA) of Late, Ptolemaic and Roman Period (644 BC to AD 395) faience from Egypt. The study develops a non-destructive protocol in the analysis of faience glazes using HH-XRF, a relatively recent technological innovation in cultural heritage. The benefits (e.g. portable, non-destructive, non-radiological source (i.e. X-ray tube)) and limitations (e.g. depth of analysis, layered analytes (i.e. glaze on body)) of HH-XRF are examined. Replicated faience glazes were produced as a part of the HH-XRF evaluation. Glaze recipes were derived from the literature involving experimental archaeology and instrumental analysis. One body and three glaze batches were produced that were aesthetically and structurally similar to the archaeological material. The glaze batches were fired on raw and bisque-fired bodies in a raw and prefritted state to produce 30 replicated glaze samples. The HH-XRF parameters (e.g. voltage, current, acquisition time) were evaluated using Corning Glass B as the known analyte. Optimum results were based on a compromise (bivariate coefficient) between high
evaluation portable_x ray_fluorescence apply blue faience glaze study use replicate glaze late ptolemaic roman period egypt present_systematic evaluation energy_dispersive hand held x_ray_fluorescence xrf semi quantitative net peak analysis late ptolemaic roman_period faience egypt study develop non_destructive protocol analysis faience glaze use xrf relatively_recent technological_innovation cultural_heritage benefit portable non_destructive non source x_ray limitation depth_analysis layer glaze body xrf examine faience glaze produce part xrf evaluation glaze recipes derive literature involve experimental_archaeology instrumental analysis body glaze produce aesthetically structurally similar archaeological_material glaze fire raw fired body raw state produce replicate glaze sample xrf parameter current acquisition time evaluate use glass know optimum base compromise coefficient high