O comportamento do shlagmetal aplicado a diferentes tipos de mordentes

The schlagmetal (Dutch Gold), obtained from an alloy of copper and zinc is a cheap alternative for gold leaf, but its colour changes due to oxidations which appear as a result of incorrect manipulations or of exposure to environmental factors (temperature, humidity). This paper presents the influence of shellac based protection film and of two mixtion binders (water and oil based size) on the schlagmetal applied on a gessoed wooden support. To evaluate the behaviour of the metal sheet in the structures presented in this study, the samples were exposed to artificial ageing, and the occurred changes were analyzed by optical microscopy (OM), SEM-EDX and colorimetry in CIE L*a*b* system.El schlagmetal (Oro holandés) , obtenido a partir de una aleación de cobre y zinc es una alternativa barata a la hoja de oro , pero su color cambia debido a la oxidación que aparece a consecuencia de una manipulación incorrecta o de la exposición a factores ambientales (temperatura, humedad). En este artículo se estudia la influencia de la película de protección a base de goma laca y de dos aglutinantes (a base de agua y aceite) en el schlagmetal, aplicada sobre un soporte de madera con preparación de yeso. Para evaluar el comportamiento de la hoja metálica en las estructuras que se presentan en este estudio, se expusieron las muestras a un envejecimiento artificial y los cambios registrados se analizaron por microscopía óptica (MO), SEM-EDX, por y colorimetría en sistema CIE L*a*b*.O schlagmetal (ouro holandês), obtido a partir de uma liga de cobre e zinco é uma alternativa barata à folha de ouro, mas sua cor muda devido a oxidações que aparecem como resultado de manipulações incorrectas ou de exposição a fatores ambientais (temperatura, umidade). Este artigo apresenta a influência da película de proteção à base de goma-laca e de dois aglutinantes (à base de óleo e água) no schlagmetal. aplicado sobre um suporte de madeira com preparação de gesso. Para avaliar o comportamento da folha de metal nas estruturas apresentadas no presente estudo, as amostras foram expostas a envelhecimento artificial e as alterações registadas foram analisadas por microscopia óptica (MO), SEM-EDX e colorimetria em sistema CIE L*a*b*

Integrated Analytical Study for the Somes Metalic Artefact Discoveri in Ibida Site, Romania

The paper presents the results of the analyses conducted using the SEM-EDX and micro-FTIR co-assisted techniques, on several metallic artefacts unearthed during the excavations at the (L)Ibida archaeological site in Slava Rusă, Tulcea County, Romania, that took place between 2001 and 2008. The data produced is of use in identifying several archaeometrical structural and compositional features which allow for the identification of the origin of the ores, of the alloy type, and of the manufacturing technology. A series of new data is thus produced, that can consolidate the three databases of scientific conservation of metallic artefacts (iarchaeometallurgy/archaeometry/historiography, ii-museum exhibiting, iii-tinerate/transfer/exchange/trade)

New Materials to Support the Preservation of Old Wood Used for Art Objects

This paper presents new materials that replaced the main list of substances with a high toxicity level (banned in the European Community), and the interventions in the preservation of old wood used for art objects. Although in the process of stopping the four evolutionary effects of deterioration and degradation of the wood, highly effective methods of preservation were developed, it was found that the toxic atmosphere maintains a high risk for curators. These methods involved the use of derivatives of naphthalene and polymers containing chlorine, bromine-based derivatives, namely a series of highly dangerous pesticides. In this context, most research centers in wood preservation have studied new systems supposing minimal toxicity, compatible with different types of timber, in a series of natural or synthetic substances, such as: Pyrethroids, boron compounds, tannins, woodsulfonates, silicates and phosphates

Elemental composition of salt and vulnerability assessment of saline groundwater sources selected based on ethnoarchaeological evidence in Romania

The study aimed to evaluate the elemental composition of salt extracted from shallow to saline groundwater sources selected based on ethnoarchaeological evidence in the Eastern Carpathians and Sub-Carpathians area of Romania and to assess their specific vulnerability using groundwater pollution potential (DRASTIC and DRASTIC-LU methodology). 198 saline water samples were collected from different site types, including natural saline springs, catchment saline springs, brine wells, salted lakes and ponds, during the period between 2007 and 2019. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was employed to characterize the elemental composition of salt after dry-evaporating a predetermined volume of each collected sample. The results indicated that the salt concentration in the brines ranged from 0.1% to 41.3%, with the highest concentration found in wells and natural saline springs. The dominant component was sodium chloride, but several sites had high concentrations of potassium chloride, which is essential for human health. Over 95% of the analyzed samples also contained other minerals like calcium and magnesium, further highlighting the health benefits of these brine sources. However, two sites were slightly contaminated with heavy metals, posing potential health risks if consumed. The DRASTIC index, a standardized system for evaluating groundwater pollution potential, gave scores between 99 and 208, indicating moderate to very high intrinsic pollution potential. Similarly, the DRASTIC-LU index, which takes into account and the land use aspects, showed scores ranging from 114 to 258, suggesting low to very high vulnerability to contamination. These findings provide valuable information on the elemental composition of salt and the vulnerability of these brine sources, which are still used by rural communities for traditional practices like meat and fish preservation, milk curdling, and pickling. The study has important implications for sustainable management from both ethnoarchaeological and economic perspectives

The Conservability of Old Wood at the Contact with Metallic Structural Components from Artifacts

The paper presents the impact of metallic pieces being in contact with wood, as structural elements, used in obtaining artifacts. The paper studies, based on old samples, the reciprocal effect obtained at the wood-metal interface, the diffusion and segregation area of metallic cations in wood and the protective role of some wood volatile components on metal

The Impact of the Treatment with Câmpeni Red Petroleum on a XVIII-th Century Icon

This paper presents the study regarding the impact of the treatment with Câmpeni red petroleum on an eighteenth-century icon made of wood, with the aim of active preservation and restoration. In accomplishing this endeavour, there were applied non-invasive techniques of analysis based on optical microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), micro-FTIR and colorimetry CIEL*a*b*. A series of chemical, physical-structural and mechanical characteristics of the wood were traced, in order to assess the degree of preservation enhancement as a result of the applied treatment

The Interdisciplinary Approach of Some Middle Bronze Age Pottery from Eastern Romania

Prehistoric pottery is the most abundant material discovered in archaeological sites and represents the main element of knowledge about human communities from the past. This study presents a model of interdisciplinary investigation of pottery through several types of analyses, enabling the scientific study of this category of artifacts. The analyses were performed on 11 ceramic fragments from the Middle Bronze Age settlement of Piatra Neamț–Lutărie, Eastern Romania, considering information about the color, production technique, type, size, functionality and category of the vessel, but also data related to ceramic paste inclusions. The samples were studied by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and micro-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (µFTIR). The results obtained provide important information regarding pottery manufacturing technologies, such as sources of the raw materials and firing temperatures, and revealed the functionality of various vessel categories within a prehistoric settlement

Technological and Functional Approaches Applied to Miniature Vessels with Pigment Traces: Two Middle Bronze Age Case Studies from Eastern Subcarpathians of Romania

Vessels with a special shape have always been a point of interest for pottery studies, especially from the perspective of the distinct functionality that these pots would have had. The ceramic typologies made for the miniature finds specific to the Middle Bronze Age in the Eastern Carpathian area include a series of such vessels attributed to the Costișa communities. Currently, the role of these pots is still under debate, being classified as ritual or special, which led to two case studies focused on investigating these miniatures. The analyzed vessels come from the Piatra Neamț—Bâtca Doamnei and Siliștea—Pe Cetățuie settlements (Neamț County), where these containers were discovered with traces of pigment or in association with colored minerals. These findings led to a series of questions related to their use, as it is known that in the Middle Bronze Age there are not many archaeological discoveries that explain the presence of pigments in the studied area. In this sense, multiplication of information was achieved by performing detailed analyses, such as optical microscopy (texture and surface details), colorimetry CIE L*a*b* (color investigation), SEM-EDX (elemental composition) and µ-FTIR (chemical compounds). The results of the interdisciplinary study led to new data on the nature of the pigment and the method of preparation, and also clues on the source of the raw material. Thus, these items illustrate the special use of miniature vessels and their probable functions

ECOLOGICAL CLEANING SYSTEMS FOR OLD ICONS PAINTED IN TEMPERA

Old icons, especially those involved in liturgical rituals are affected in time by external agents factors (temperature, humidity, light, pollution, microbiological attack, abrasion etc.), resulting changes of the appearance and of the structural integrity, dirt deposits, altered varnish and painting layer, cracks, material loss etc. In order to remove the dirt deposits, there are used cleaning systems with dry wiping, vacuuming, scraping, washing with organic solvents, ion exchange solutions, polyelectrolytes, surfactants, and so on, by enzymatic systems or by laser pyrolysis. The last two processes being considered aggressive and highly invasive, although they do clean very well adherent dirt deposits, which strongly degraded the varnish to total blackening (the iconographic image cannot be seen). Based on the literature in the field, regarding the nature of the materials used during the painting process and of the types and structures of the deposits, a series of alcoholic solutions of different concentrations were made, as such or basified, which were compared with ecologic synergic systems based on organic uncolored vegetable juices and decoctions from dried plants. The cleaning effectiveness was done by visual analysis and CIE L*a*b* reflection colorimetry, space proposed by the CIE (International Commission on Illumination) in 1976, was used. This technique permitting to determine by color deviations the critical point where the patina and polychromes layer

The Comparative Study of the State of Conservation of Two Medieval Documents on Parchment from Different Historical Periods

The paper explores the potentiality of an experimental multianalytic protocol with appropriate methodology for determining the chemical and morphostructural characteristics of two old documents on parchment support. Such a protocol can authenticate and assess the state of conservation under the influence of environmental factors during storage and archival documentation, thus advancing preventive and prophylactic measures in “treasure” deposits such as the National Archives of Romania, where these documents are kept. The work methodology consisted of three stages. The first stage consists of visual observation for identifying deteriorations and degradations, alongside the selection of representatives’ areas from where micro-samples were collected. The second stage involves Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDX) analysis, for highlighting the morphology and determining the elemental composition; lastly, the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and correlation of results establish the chemical and morphostructural changes. The use of this gradual system of analyses allowed determining the differences between these two documents in terms of the materials used for producing them, their manufacturing technologies, the writing and ornamentation, and the overall state of conservation. The results provided the first accurate picture of the chemical nature and manufacturing of the two parchment documents by determining the main characteristics of the collagen and of the finishing, writing, and decoration materials, in view of the natural aging through the oxidative and gelatinization processes of the collagen. The SEM-EDX results revealed the morphological changes of the parchment that occurred at various levels in the collagen fibrous mesh and established the state of conservation of the support, writing, and decorations