O conjunto de metais da Idade do Bronze de Vila Cova de Perrinho (Vale de Cambra, Portugal central) 50 anos após a sua descoberta

Jornadas de Jóvenes en Investigación Arqueológica, JIA (3as : 5-7 de mayo 2010 : Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona). Sesión 11. "Estudios arqueométricos".O presente estudo enquadra-se num trabalho de reavaliação dos contextos arqueológicos da região de Vale de Cambra, neste caso particular dos contextos da Idade do Bronze, a propósito do conjunto metálico, encontrado há 50 anos, no lugar do Rossio, Vila Cova de Perrinho, freguesia do concelho de Vale de Cambra (centro-norte de Portugal). Inicialmente noticiado como um possível espólio de sepultura, nos anos seguintes, esse conjunto passou a ser considerado como um "depósito" pela literatura arqueológica, sem que nunca se tenham investigado convenientemente as circunstâncias do achado. Apresentamos um contributo para a compreensão deste achado, ainda presente na memória colectiva da comunidade local, integrando este conjunto metálico na realidade arqueológica da área do Rossio.With respect to a metallic group, found 50 years ago in place of Rossio, Vila Cova de Perrinho, county town of Vale de Cambra (Northern Portugal), this study relates to a reassessment of the work about the Bronze Age archaeological contexts in the region of Vale de Cambra. Initially reported as possible burial artifacts, in the following years this group came to be regarded as a "hoard" for the archaeological literature, without ever having properly investigated the circumstances of the finding. We present a contribution to the understanding of this finding, still present in the collective memory of the local community, integrating this metallic group in the archaeological area of Rossio.Respecte al grup metàl·lic, trobat 50 anys enrere a la Plaça de Rossio, Vila Cova de Perrinho, ciutat comtal de Vale de Cambra (Nord de Portugal), aquest estudi mostra una nova avaluació del panorama de l'edat de Bronze en contextos arqueològics de la regió de Vale Cambra. Descrit inicialment com possibles artefactes mortuoris, en els anys següents aquet grup va arribar a ser considerat un "tresor" per la literatura arqueològica, sense haver estudiat degudament les circumstancies del seu descobriment. Presentem una contribució al coneixement d'aquest descobriment, encara present en la memòria col·lectiva de la comunitat local, integrant aquest grup metàl·lic en l'àrea arqueològica de Rossio

Non-destructive characterization of archeological Cu-based artifacts from the early metallurgy of southern Portugal

Abstract In this study, Monte Carlo (MC) simulations combined with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy have been used to characterize nondestructively a collection of Cu-based artifacts recovered from two archeological sites in southern Portugal: (a) the Chalcolithic E.T.A.R. site of Vila Nova de Mil Fontes and (b) the Middle Bronze Age site of Quinta do Estácio 6. The metal artifacts show a multilayered structure made up of three distinct layers: (a) brownish carbonate soil-derived crust, (b) green oxidized corrosion patina, and (c) bulk metal. In order to assess the reliability of the EDXRF-based Monte Carlo simulations to reproduce the composition of the alloy substrate in archeological bronze artifacts without the need to previously remove the superficial corrosion and soil derived patinas, EDXRF analysis together with scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) was also performed on cleaned and patina-/crust-coated areas of the artifacts. Characterization of the mineralogical composition of the corrosion products in the surface patinas was further determined by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results suggest that the adopted EDXRF/Monte Carlo protocol may represent a safe and fast analytical approach in the quantitative characterization of the bulk chemical composition of Cubased metal artifacts even in the presence of fairly thick corrosion patinas and/or soil-derived encrustations at the surface of the archeological objects

DOUBLE-LOOPED PALSTAVES FROM THE LATE BRONZE AGE / EARLY IRON AGE OF THE WESTERN IBERIAN PENINSULA: NEW TECHNOLOGICAL INSIGHTS FROM SANTA JUSTA (NORTH OF PORTUGAL)

Palstaves are one of the most common types of copper-based tool spread out during the Late Bronze Age (LBA) and the Early Iron Age (EIA), particularly between ca. 10th and 8th century BC, across Western Iberia. Hundreds have been found in hoards and settlements, especially in the Centre and North of Portugal and Galicia (Spain). This paper focuses on the study of two double-looped palstaves from Serra of Santa Justa (Valongo, North of Portugal), with the aim to discuss issues related to their production technology. For this purpose, different analytical techniques, such as X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and Optical Microscopy (OM), have been used. The results show that the two palstaves were produced with two operational chains: while specimen MDDS-2010.0069 is a leaded bronze (Cu+Sn+Pb) with an as-cast microstructure, the MDDS-2010.0082 is a binary bronze (Cu+Sn) with grains resulting from the forging and annealing of the metal after the ancient metallurgist took the palstave off from the mould. Based on the data presented in this paper, it is reported that the analytical characteristics of the two palstaves analysed here are consistent on a regional scale with data already known from other similar artefacts

Phoenician-influenced metallurgy in central Portugal. Three socketed arrowheads with spur from Monte Figueiró (Ansião)

This paper presents the results of a study carried out on three previously unpublished Iron Age socketed arrowheads with spur from Monte Figueiró –Central Portugal–, a site located between the Tagus and Mondego rivers. This region is of the utmost importance to understanding how Mediterranean influences penetrated along the Iberian Atlantic coast and up to the inland Portuguese territories, through Phoenician traders, since the Early Iron Age –8th century bc–. The socketed arrowheads with spurs, originally produced in the South-eastern end of Europe, namely in the Black Sea area, are virtually unseen in the Portuguese territory, where only another similar item has been found at Castro Marim –South Portugal–, in contrast with Spain, more specifically with the Guadalquivir region, where they are quite frequently found. Therefore, the occurrence of the three socketed arrowheads from Monte Figueiró is a challenging discovery, since Central Portugal is a peripheral area with respect to the Iberian regions that underwent an actual Phoenician colonisation. Based on this assumption, this paper will not focus just on typological and technological issues, but it will go a bit further, also reflecting on what these three artefacts can reveal about the interaction between indigenous inland communities from Central Portugal and Phoenician traders.El presente artículo da a conocer los resultados del estudio de tres puntas de flecha de arpón lateral de la Edad del Hierro inéditas procedentes de Monte Figueiró –Centro de Portugal–, un yacimiento entre los ríos Tajo y Mondego, en una región de importancia capital para la comprensión de la difusión de las influencias mediterráneas a lo largo de la costa atlántica ibérica y hasta el territorio interior portugués, a través de los mercaderes fenicios desde la i Edad del Hierro –s. VIII a. C.–. Las puntas de flecha de arpón lateral, producidas originalmente en el extremo sureste de Europa, concretamente en el área del Mar Negro, son casi desconocidas en el territorio portugués, donde solo se había hallado una pieza semejante en Castro Marim –Sur de Portugal–. Sin embargo, son muy comunes en el Sur y Sureste de España, región en la que se difundieron a raíz de los contactos con el mundo fenicio. La presencia de tres puntas de flecha de arpón lateral en Monte Figueiró representa un dilema complejo, ya que el Centro de Portugal constituye un área periférica respecto a las regiones ibéricas en las que se produjo una colonización fenicia propiamente dicha. A partir de esta suposición, este artículo no se centrará solo en el tema tipológico y tecnológico, yendo un poco más lejos y reflexionando sobre lo que estos tres artefactos pueden revelar sobre la interacción entre las comunidades indígenas del centro interior portugués y los mercaderes fenicios

Phoenician-influenced metallurgy in central Portugal. Three socketed arrowheads with spur from Monte Figueiró (Ansião)

This paper presents the results of a study carried out on three previously unpublished Iron Age socketed arrowheads with spur from Monte Figueiró –Central Portugal–, a site located between the Tagus and Mondego rivers. This region is of the utmost importance to understanding how Mediterranean influences penetrated along the Iberian Atlantic coast and up to the inland Portuguese territories, through Phoenician traders, since the Early Iron Age –8th century bc–. The socketed arrowheads with spurs, originally produced in the South-eastern end of Europe, namely in the Black Sea area, are virtually unseen in the Portuguese territory, where only another similar item has been found at Castro Marim –South Portugal–, in contrast with Spain, more specifically with the Guadalquivir region, where they are quite frequently found. Therefore, the occurrence of the three socketed arrowheads from Monte Figueiró is a challenging discovery, since Central Portugal is a peripheral area with respect to the Iberian regions that underwent an actual Phoenician colonisation. Based on this assumption, this paper will not focus just on typological and technological issues, but it will go a bit further, also reflecting on what these three artefacts can reveal about the interaction between indigenous inland communities from Central Portugal and Phoenician traders.El presente artículo da a conocer los resultados del estudio de tres puntas de flecha de arpón lateral de la Edad del Hierro inéditas procedentes de Monte Figueiró –Centro de Portugal–, un yacimiento entre los ríos Tajo y Mondego, en una región de importancia capital para la comprensión de la difusión de las influencias mediterráneas a lo largo de la costa atlántica ibérica y hasta el territorio interior portugués, a través de los mercaderes fenicios desde la i Edad del Hierro –s. VIII a. C.–. Las puntas de flecha de arpón lateral, producidas originalmente en el extremo sureste de Europa, concretamente en el área del Mar Negro, son casi desconocidas en el territorio portugués, donde solo se había hallado una pieza semejante en Castro Marim –Sur de Portugal–. Sin embargo, son muy comunes en el Sur y Sureste de España, región en la que se difundieron a raíz de los contactos con el mundo fenicio. La presencia de tres puntas de flecha de arpón lateral en Monte Figueiró representa un dilema complejo, ya que el Centro de Portugal constituye un área periférica respecto a las regiones ibéricas en las que se produjo una colonización fenicia propiamente dicha. A partir de esta suposición, este artículo no se centrará solo en el tema tipológico y tecnológico, yendo un poco más lejos y reflexionando sobre lo que estos tres artefactos pueden revelar sobre la interacción entre las comunidades indígenas del centro interior portugués y los mercaderes fenicios

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

Non-destructive characterization of archeological Cu-based artifacts from the early metallurgy of southern Portugal

In this study, Monte Carlo (MC) simulations combined with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy have been used to characterize non-destructively a collection of Cu-based artifacts recovered from two archeological sites in southern Portugal: (a) the Chalcolithic E.T.A.R. site of Vila Nova de Mil Fontes and (b) the Middle Bronze Age site of Quinta do Estácio 6. The metal artifacts show a multilayered structure made up of three distinct layers: (a) brownish carbonate soil-derived crust, (b) green oxidized corrosion patina, and (c) bulk metal. In order to assess the reliability of the EDXRF-based Monte Carlo simulations to reproduce the composition of the alloy substrate in archeological bronze artifacts without the need to previously remove the superficial corrosion and soil derived patinas, EDXRF analysis together with scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) was also performed on cleaned and patina-/crust-coated areas of the artifacts. Characterization of the mineralogical composition of the corrosion products in the surface patinas was further determined by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results suggest that the adopted EDXRF/Monte Carlo protocol may represent a safe and fast analytical approach in the quantitative characterization of the bulk chemical composition of Cu-based metal artifacts even in the presence of fairly thick corrosion patinas and/or soil-derived encrustations at the surface of the archeological objects

A Framework Design for Information Management in Heritage Science Laboratories

The dataflow in any scientific research laboratory is continuous and considerable even in analytical niches such as heritage science laboratories. This article discusses advantages of using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for organising and systematising research in an interdisciplinary analytical laboratory. LIMS solutions are proven to be effective in managing laboratories, organising their daily management tasks, improving work conditions and increasing productivity, managing equipment and resources, and managing and safeguarding scientific data. LIMS software is commercially available since the 1990s with over a hundred software packages intended either for general or specific purposes. However, the ones currently available do not fulfil all the requirements for heritage science or are over-the-top, complex, one-fits-all standard solutions. The system here proposed was developed for a heritage science laboratory, considering its unique requirements, having as a case study the HERCULES Lab, from the University of Évora (Portugal). This article documents our approach based on the analysis of the unique requirements for the lab resulting in a proposal of a custom user-centred web-based system. For this, we discuss in detail the workflow, and the required system architecture. We conclude that although it is a small niche market for major manufacturers to dwell on, a custom LIMS is of the utmost importance for the current management of heritage science laboratories across the globe

O Tumulus 1 do Souto (Abrantes, Médio Tejo): Novos contributos para o conhecimento das materialidades do mundo funerário do Bronze Final no Centro de Portugal

O artigo apresenta e discute os resultados obtidos das análises arqueométricas realizadas sobre 4 fragmentos de metal, 1 fragmento de cerâmica de uma grande urna e sobre as marcas/incrustações encontradas na superfície de um pequeno púcaro procedentes de um contexto funerário de incineração atribuído ao Bronze Final (BF), o Tumulus 1 do Souto (Abrantes, Centro de Portugal). O sítio arqueológico e os materiais recuperados já foram publicados por um dos autores, mas o estudo arqueométrico dos materiais, em particular dos fragmentos de metais e das cerâmicas nunca foi efetuado. De acordo com uma abordagem multi-analítica recorreu-se a diversas técnicas analíticas, nomeadamente Espectrometria de Raios-X Portátil (pXRF), Microscopia Eletrónica de Varrimento acoplada a Detector de Raios-X por Dispersão de Energias (SEM-EDS), Microscopia óptica (MO) e Difração de Raios-X (XRD). Os resultados obtidos determinaram a proveniência da grande urna, provavelmente produzida com materiais encontrados num raio de 10-15 km do sítio arqueológico. A composição química e as características dos fragmentos de metal analisados indicam tratar-se de uma liga binária (Cu+Sn) com pequenas inclusões de elementos secundários como prata, arsénio e ferro. O estudo também evidenciou, na superfície do pequeno púcaro, a presença de uma patina metálica. A combinação dos dados arqueológicos e arqueométricos permitiu aumentar o conhecimento do estado da arte no contexto funerário de cremação com deposição em urna, típico da Idade do Bronze no Oeste da Península Ibérica, especialmente no médio Tejo

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