Strontium isotope analysis in ancient glass from South Asia using portable laser ablation sampling

In order to carry out strontium (Sr) isotope analysis, glass artefacts from South Asia were sampled with portable laser ablation (pLA), a relatively novel sampling technique that leaves damage invisible to the naked eye. Subsequently, thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) was used to obtain Sr isotope ratios after sample dissolution and separation. In this study, the goal was twofold: to determine whether the measurements of Sr isotope ratios were impacted by using a portable laser as a sample tool; and to assess the pertinence of using Sr isotope ratios to provenance Indian glass. Despite a deterioration in the precision of the measurement of the Sr isotope ratios for artefacts sampled with pLA compared with the traditional sampling method, the Sr isotope ratios of certain Indian glass are so different that this does not affect their separation but a comparison of data sets obtained using standard methods and pLA might be challenging.     

From commodity to money: The rise of silver coinage around the Ancient Mediterranean (sixth–first centuries bce)

The reasons why the Western Mediterranean, especially Carthage and Rome, resisted monetization relative to the Eastern Mediterranean are still unclear. We address this question by combining lead (Pb) and silver (Ag) isotope abundances in silver coinage from the Aegean, Magna Graecia, Carthage and Roman Republic. The clear relationships observed between ¹⁰⁹Ag/¹⁰⁷Ag and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb reflect the mixing of silver ores or silver objects with Pb metal used for cupellation. The combined analysis of Ag and Pb isotopes reveals important information about the technology of smelting. The Greek world extracted Ag and Pb from associated ores, whereas, on the Iberian Peninsula, Carthaginians and Republican‐era Romans applied Phoenician cupellation techniques and added exotic Pb to Pb‐poor Ag ores. Massive Ag recupellation is observed in Rome during the Second Punic War. After defeating the Carthaginians and the Macedonians in the late second century bce , the Romans brought together the efficient, millennium‐old techniques of silver extraction of the Phoenicians, who considered this metal a simple commodity, with the monetization of the economy introduced by the Greeks.     

Geochemical evidence for the manufacture,logistics and supply‐chain management of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Army,China

Non‐invasive materials characterisation of reconstructed statues of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Army has revealed distinct micro‐geochemical patterning within the clay paste used in their manufacture. The significance of this is explored in terms of the production sequence, logistics and supply‐chain management involved in the construction of this enormous funerary assemblage. Of particular interest is a compositional distinction between figures marked with the names ‘Gong’ (宫) and ‘Xianyang’ (咸阳). These seem to represent the products of two workshops involved in the supply of ceramic objects for this ambitious, large‐scale building project undertaken by the Qin Empire during the third century bce .     

基于三维扫描模型的兵马俑足踝有限元分析

利用三维扫描技术获取兵马俑残片的三维点云数据,结合Geomagic Studio和Hypermesh建立高精度的兵马俑足踝残片三维实体网格模型。通过基于ABAQUS的重力作用下的有限元分析,研究足踝部分的Von Mises应力和变形特征,以确定足踝处的受力薄弱部位。为进一步探究模型各残片的最佳点云简化比例,采用点云简化模型进行相同工况的有限元分析,以验证点云简化的可靠性。结果表明:结构在重力作用下可保持安全稳定的状态,相对薄弱部位位于左腿足踝处;对于大部分残片,其最佳简化比例在60%～70%,简化后可有效缩短模型实体化处理时间;采用简化模型得到的有限元结果,其最大Mises应力相比于原始模型的误差小于15%,且应力云图和变形图形状接近,模型简化具有可靠性。     

一种油画颜料层裂纹的修复技术分析

油画颜料层裂纹是一种常见的病害类型,严重的裂纹会影响作品的视觉效果。裂纹修复所采取的措施应以缓解病害,延续寿命为目标,避免不当修复对其文物价值的改变。本研究通过红外光谱和便携式X荧光能谱分析,初步确定了裂纹产生的原因与材料技法和机械作用力有关,长期的温湿度波动则是最终形成老化裂纹的重要因素。对两类常见的裂纹加固方法比较后得出结论,色蜡改变了原画的光泽度和肌理层,动物胶调碳酸钙更适宜作为裂纹的填补材料。观察修复后的油画保存状况,发现经过修复的颜料层仍存在继续劣化的风险,必须维持保存环境的相对稳定,方可延长修复周期。     

Killing the Priest-King: Addressing Egalitarianism in the Indus Civilization

Journal of Archaeological Research - The cities of the Indus civilization were expansive and planned with large-scale architecture and sophisticated Bronze Age technologies. Despite these hallmarks...     

Burial offerings in intramural tombs at Middle Bronze Age Megiddo

Tel Megiddo is a major type-site for the Middle Bronze in the Levant. During this period a new burial custom appeared in which the dead were interred beneath occupied houses. This tradition is well attested in Area K at the site. Area H, near the palatial complex, revealed a monumental masonry-constructed chamber tomb. This article presents the results of residue analysis conducted on ceramic vessels placed in these tombs as burial offerings. Hundreds of intramural Middle Bronze tombs with ceramic offerings were excavated in the Levant, but this is the first time the content of the vessels is revealed.