M. Járó - L. Költő szerk.: Archaeometrical research in Hungary (Budapest, 1988)
Analysis - BIRÓ Tamás: Nuclear methods in archaeometry developed in the Institute of Isotopes
About 70 copper and iron ore samples from various mines have been collected and analysed by the same XRF technique. It was found that not only native copper but also some easily reducible ores exhibit high purity similarly to the axes, thus these can be considered as possible source material as well, if melting or smelting of the axes can be proved by metallographic investigation. And this is what acmally happened, as will be shown below. , , . . „ _ Another objective of ore analysis might be to help m provenience studies. Ihere are, however, strong arguments against any relationship between the composition of metal finds and modem ore samples. Therefore these analytical data should be used cautiously, maybe only in studies of later historical periods. Some of the results are given in Table 2. Table 2. XRF analysis of copper ores Typical minor and trace components Range (per cent) Ores (No. of samples) Typical minor and trace components Range (per cent) A M K KP N none — 2 5 1 3 2 Zn Pb 0.06-12 0.1-1.4 1 3 4 As 0.03-2.4 1 3 6 Mn (0.03-0.1 per cent), Y and Zr traces were also detected A: Azurite, M: Malachite, K: Cuprite, KP: Chalcopyrite, N: Native copper Special attention was paid to the scientific investigation of the Hungarian Crown after its return to Hungary. Originally XRF was also included in the programme to reveal certain matches and/or discrepancies in composition of the metallic parts, visually described as repairs or replacements, or even those unobservable . Unfortunately, the Committee of the Crown refused later the idea referring to some hypothetical damage to the Crown, in particular to the enamels, caused by the investigation dose however negligible it would be. Preparatory measurements had been carried out before the suspension of the programme in order to outline the feasibility of the method for the particular problems encountered. In addition to gold étalons, contemporary jewels of similar structure were also used (see Photo 1 ). It was found that the major and minor constituents could easily be determined, and traces of soldering detected [2]. It is clear that a simple elemental analysis of the gold would not provide a clue to the origin of the Crown even if trace elements could be detected, but it certainly would help in the objective assay of parts which by colour itself might be indistinguishable. It is noted that no harm at all is caused to metals by such a small exposure as the investigation dose, and potentially sensitive materials, such /
