Multi-analytical study of ceramic pigments application in the study of Iron Age decorated pottery from SW Iberia

A non-invasive multi-analytical approach combining optical microscopy (OM), micro-X-ray diffraction (mXRD), in-situ X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), variable pressure scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (VP-SEM-EDS) and Raman micro-spectroscopy has been employed for the first time to investigate the chemical composition of ceramic pigments in Iberian Iron Age ceramics. The methodology was applied in the study of red, black and white pigments on Iron Age decorated pottery from the archaeological site of Garvão (SW Portugal). The complementary methodology adopted in this study minimized the damage to the ancient artefacts and turned out to be essential in achieving a complete chemical and mineralogical characterization of pigment composition. Results suggest that haematite (Fe2O3) and pyrolusite (MnO2) are the main mineral carriers of the Fe and Mn chromophore ions, responsible respectively for the red and black colour. While illite (K(Al,Mg, Fe)2(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2), a common clay mineral, is giving the white colour. It is the first time that the use of illite as a pigment on decorations of ancient pottery has been reported in western societies. The potters used local raw materials, compatible with the regional geological context and the archaeometric study seems to demonstrate that the society that produced the painted ceramics had limited access to long commercial routes

New insights on Late Bronze Age Cu-metallurgy from Coles de Samuelhoard (Central Portugal): A combined multi-analytical approach

The hoard from Coles de Samuel is one of the largest Cu-based metal collections from the Late Bronze Age (LBA) (13th–8th centuries BC) ever found in Central Portugal, consisting of 18 artefacts which typologically display a strong regional identity. In the present study, an integrated multi-analytical approach combining Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis, OpticalMicroscopy (OM) and Scanning ElectronMicroscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) has been used to characterise the artefacts both from a chemical and microstructural point of view with the aim to unravel their elemental composition and technological features. Results show that all artefacts are made of binary bronze (Cu-Sn) alloys, with a Sn content in the range of 8.7 ± 0.9 and 13.0±1.0wt%,with minor elements (Pb, As and Fe) never exceeding 1.1 wt% in total. The microstructure of the vast majority of the metal objects (13 out of 18) shows the presence of equiaxial α-copper grains with annealing twins and slip bands suggesting that, in the manufacturing process, they were subjected to forging plus annealing cycles. The remains of the objects present an as-cast microstructure constituted by dendritic structures, suggesting that metals did not suffer any thermo-mechanical operation after being removed from the mould. Pb, Ag and Au-rich globules together with Cu–S and unalloyed Cu-inclusions have been observed as well, resulting from impurities from ores. The typological characterisation of these metals and their archaeometallurgical data are consistentwith an indigenous LBA Iberian metallurgical productio

Use of Monte Carlo Simulation as a Tool for the Nondestructive Energy Dispersive X- ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) Spectroscopy Analysis of Archaeological Copper-Based Artifacts from the Chalcolithic Site of Perdigões, Southern Portugal

This work is part of a broader research line that aims to develop and implement a nondestructive methodology for the chemical characterization of archaeological metals based on a protocol that combines energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (ED-XRF) with a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation algorithm. In this paper, the ED-XRF/MC protocol has been applied to estimate the chemical composition of a selected group of 26 copper-based artifacts and fragments recovered at Perdigões, one of the larger Chalcolithic sites of Southwest Iberia. All the analyzed artifacts have a multilayered structure composed by the alloy substrate and by a superficial layer common in each metal buried for hundreds of years and consisting of the patina mixed with soil. Due to the difficulty in determining the quantitative composition of these alloys in the presence of this complex patina/encrustation layer, the spectrometric

A Multi-Analytical Characterization of Mortars from Kathmandu (Nepal) Historical Monuments

The historical monuments of the ‘City of Temples’ (Kathmandu) represent an intrinsic component of Nepal’s cultural heritage. The 2015 devastating Gorkha earthquake, besides human casualties, has led to a widespread demolition or partial damage of monuments at UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites, including the ones in Durbar squares. This study, through an integrated material characterization of masonry binders, used in four case monuments from Hanuman Dhoka and Patan Durbar squares, intends to contribute to the knowledge of the technological know-how of the past in order to maintain as much as possible the original traditions and to provide appropriate conservation strategies. The analytical characterization of the ancient mortars was carried out by means of X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (ATRFTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), petrographic analysis, X-ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and Pyrolysis–Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS). The composition of the mortars has been determined and is in accordance with previous research in traditional materials used in the Nepalese architecture. Chromatographic techniques proved to be particularly important in the analysis of mortars with organic binders as they revealed the possible composition of the binding media, providing additional information valuable for the future conservation/restoration of the stone monuments of the ‘City of Temples’

Similarity structure analysis and structural equation modeling in studying latent structures: An application to the Attitudes Towards Portuguese Language Questionnaire

Several international studies such as PISA and PILRS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study), have stressed the importance of positive attitudes and behaviours as facilitators of individuals reading literacy during the school years and throughout their lives. Considering that there are not available instruments for assessing attitudes Towards Portuguese Language, it was proposed the development of the Attitudes towards Portuguese Language Questionnaire – ATPLQ (Questionário de Atitudes Face à Língua Portuguesa: QAFLP, Neto et al., 2011; Rebelo, 2012). The questionnaire has 22 Likert-type items, with four levels of response (Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Agree, Strongly Agree), spread, through exploratory factor analysis (EFA), over three attitudinal dimensions: Behavioural, Affective, and Motivational. In this study we aimed to analyse the ATPLQ’s latent structure with a pooled sample data of 1441 participants, applying similarity structure analysis (SSA) and confirmatory factor analysis of ordinal data (CFA). The SSA was carried out with Hudap in order to identify the structural properties of the questionnaire and to assess its adequacy in a Portuguese population. The CFA was carried out with LISREL in order to assure structural validity, i.e., accounting for factorial validity, but also for factors’ convergent and discriminant validity, and composite reliability. These psychometric features allowed the comparison of both the EFA derived model and the SSA derived model. We justify the selection of the SSA’s model, and we discuss the similarities between the results generated by SSA and LISREL procedures, highlighting their use in modeling constructs with ordinal indicators

Effect of surface biotreatments on construction materials

STSM Grant from the COST Action CA15202. Spanish Ministry of Economy - project BIA2017-83526-R. project DB-Heritage – Database of building materials with historical and heritage interest (PTDC/EPH-PAT/4684/2014). IF/01054/2014/CP1224/CT0005. FCT/MCTES (UID/QUI/50006/2019; UID/Multi/04378/2019). POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007728. Nídia Almeida is supported by the Radiation Biology and Biophysics Doctoral Training Programme (RaBBiT-PD/00193/2012; UCIBIO-UID/Multi/04378/2019 and by a PhD fellowship from FCT/MCTES (PD/BD/106034/2015).Surface treatment technology is instrumental to construction material conservation and more specifically to preventing decay and improving durability. Surface treatments help protect and consolidate the built heritage against material damage, reducing repair and replacement costs. This study assessed the effect of two eco-friendly healing agents, one generated by iron-enriched Escherichia coli and the other by mixed microbial cultures that metabolise glycerol, a biodiesel processing by-product, to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates. Healing was monitored by measuring the water drop absorption rate in cement mortar, air lime mortar, ceramic brick, limestone, adobe and compressed earth block. The agents tested lengthened water absorption times in all the materials studied, confirming their efficacy as external repair treatments for construction materials.authorsversionpublishe

Mortalidade por doença respiratória crônica no Brasil: tendência temporal e projeções

OBJECTIVE To analyze the time trend of monthly mortality rates from chronic respiratory diseases in Brazil from 1996 to 2017, with forecasts for 2022, besides analyzing the possibility of achieving the goal of the Plano de Ações Estratégicas para o Enfrentamento das Doenças Crônicas Não Transmissíveis no Brasil (Strategic Action Plan to Tackle Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases in Brazil) from 2011 to 2022. METHODS This is an ecological study that uses data from Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM – Mortality Information System), Sistema de Informações Demográficas e Socioeconômicas (Demographic and Socioeconomic Information System) and Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios Contínua (PNAD Contínua – Continuous National Household Sample Survey). We established the age range between 30 and 69 years old and the evolution of the rates over time was made by autoregressive integrated moving average models in R statistical tool. RESULTS Premature mortality rates from chronic respiratory diseases are decreasing in Brazil as a whole, mostly in state capitals. There is also a trend to reach the Ministry of Health’s goal in most of the country. For capitals that tend not to reach the goal, there is an association between mortality and social indicators, healthcare network and frequency of smoking. CONCLUSION This study intends to improve planning of the public health system for the control of chronic respiratory diseases.OBJETIVO Analisar a tendência temporal das taxas mensais de mortalidade por doenças respiratórias crônicas no Brasil de 1996 até 2017, com projeções para 2022, além de analisar a possibilidade de cumprimento da meta do Plano de Ações Estratégicas para o Enfrentamento das Doenças Crônicas Não Transmissíveis no Brasil de 2011 até 2022. MÉTODOS Trata-se de estudo ecológico que utiliza dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade, do Sistema de Informações Demográficas e Socioeconômicas e da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios Contínua. O recorte etário foi estabelecido entre 30 e 69 anos e a evolução das taxas no tempo foi feita por meio de modelos autorregressivos integrados de média móvel em plataforma estatística R. RESULTADOS As taxas de mortalidade precoce por doenças respiratórias crônicas apresentam-se decrescentes no Brasil como um todo e na maior parte das capitais, assim como, há tendência a atingir a meta do Ministério da Saúde na maior parte do país. Para capitais que tendem a não atingir a meta, verifica-se associação entre mortalidade e indicadores sociais, rede assistencial de saúde e frequência do tabagismo. CONCLUSÃO Pretende-se que o estudo possibilite um melhor planejamento do sistema público de saúde para o controle das doenças respiratórias crônicas

Elemental characterisation of a collection of metallic oil lamps from South-Western al-Andalus using EDXRF and Monte Carlo simulation

This study is part of a wide-scale research on metal production in South-Western al-Andalus during the Islamic period, under the project “DE RE METALLICA - DEfining and REdiscovering MEtallurgy and Trade in AL-Andalus (8th–13th centuries AD): Leaping into Innovative Comprehensive Archaeometric Approaches”. In particular, this paper presents the results of the elemental analysis carried out on a group of six Islamic oil lamps found at different sites in Southern Portugal, spanning from the 10th to the 13th centuries AD. Due to the exceptional historical value of these artefacts, the analyses were carried out according to a completely non-destructive approach that combines Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (EDXRF) with a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation code named X-ray Monte Carlo (XRMC). This novel and ground-breaking approach has proven to be especially suitable for non-destructive analysis of artefacts with a multi-layered structure, such as archaeological metals, being able to estimate the composition of the original alloys and to characterise the structure and composition of each layer superimposed to the bulk with no need of removing samples or cleaning the artefacts’ surface from corrosion compounds. The application of the EDXRF/MC analytical protocol revealed that the six oil lamps selected for this paper are covered by a structure composed of three different layers (protective layer + corrosion patina + alloy). The bulk metal is a copper-based alloy with a great variability in terms of Fe, Zn, Sn, As, and Pb, likely suggesting either the use of scrap metals as raw material or the indiscriminate addition of different kind of minerals. With regard to the objectives of this paper, EDXRF/MC protocol successfully allowed to estimate the chemical composition of the six oil lamps in a completely non-destructive way, thus representing a viable compromise between the necessity to ensure their physical integrity and the need to obtain reliable analytical data able to address historical issues

Calcium sulfate fillers and binders in Portuguese 15th and 16th centuries: Ground layers from a family painting workshop — Study by multianalytical spectroscopic techniques

This study presents results on a developed methodology to characterize ground layers in Portuguese workshops. In this work a set of altarpieces of the 15th and 16th centuries, assigned to Coimbra painting workshop was studied, overall the masters Vicente Gil (doc. Coimbra 1498–1525), Manuel Vicente (doc. Coimbra 1521–1530) and Bernardo Manuel (act. c. 1559–94), father, son and grandson, encompassing from late gothic to mannerist periods. The aim of the study is to compare ground layers, fillers and binders of Coimbra workshop, and to correlate their characteristics to understand the technical evolution of this family of painters, using complementary microscopic techniques. The cross-sections from the groups of paintings were examined by optical microscopy and the results were integrated through the analysis obtained by μ-X–ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X–ray Spectrometry, μ-confocal Raman and occasionally with μ-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy imaging. Ground layers are of calcium sulfate, present as gesso grosso (mainly anhydrite with small amounts of gypsum) in the first and last phases of the workshop and gesso mate (mainly gypsum with small amounts of anhydrite) in an intermediate period. Binders have protein and oleic characteristics