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The paper presents an archaeometallurgical analysis made on a group of Italic bronze figures from the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid (MAN-Madrid) whose common theme is that they all represent Heracles in different attitudes.

The Smederevo Fortress served successively as the capital of the medieval Serbian state and the seat of the Smederevo Sanjak from 1427 to 1512, assuming great political and military significance. Five shards of Chinese celadon were excavated from the Smederevo Fortress of Serbia in the 1960s. Analysis by X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry of these celadon pieces has revealed that they date back to the Yuan dynasty and were crafted in Longquan County, Zhejiang province, China. The Longquan celadon signified outstanding financial or political values and was treasured by the local royalty or the elite of the Smederevo Fortress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents an archaeometallurgical analysis made on a group of Italic bronze figures from the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid (MAN-Madrid) whose common theme is that they all represent Heracles in different attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first use of window glass in buildings can only be found in the 1st century AD during the Roman period. It is known that window glass was mostly used in the caldariums, which are the warm rooms of the baths, and in the residences of the period during the Roman Imperial Period. In this study, window glass samples from the Late Roman period, obtained from the Metropolis Lower Bath-Palaestra and balneum excavations, were examined archeometrically. The samples were cataloged, photographed and documented. Their physical properties and production technologies were tried to be determined by microscopic studies. The chemical structure of the glasses was determined by PED-XRF analysis. As a result of the analysis, it was understood that the glasses were of the soda/lime glass type, which constitutes the most examples of the period. The high SiO2 contents of the samples indicate that both the mechanical resistance and durability and the melting temperature of the glasses are high. While the window panes of the Lower Bath-Palaestra were cylindrical blown, those found in balneum were produced by casting technique. It was understood that plant ash was added to the glasses with its high K2O content. Colorants in glass samples are Fe, Mn, Cu and Pb. In addition, it was observed that Sb was added to the structure of most of the samples as a decolorizer. The similarity of Al2O3 and/or SiO2 ratios, one of the main raw materials of glass, indicates that the raw materials comes from the same source(s). In the light of the Sr and Zr contents of the samples, it is possible to say that mostly marine origin sand source was used in the production of all the glasses of the sample set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cemetery section comprising 35 burials was excavated at the site of Tiszakürt-Zsilke-tanya. The burial rites suggest that the community who interred their dead here was of East European steppe origin, settled primarily east of the Tisza River. The graves were poorly furnished; the main chronological indicators are melon seed-shaped beads and two pairs of earrings with big bead pendants. Based on these, the cemetery section can be dated between the 640s and the 680s. The archaeological analysis is complemented by an anthropological, archaeozoological, and pottery analysis, as well as a study of metal and glass composition.

Copyright of Archeologické Rozhledy is the property of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Archaeology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the last decade, the development of new materials that absorb electromagnetic radiation (EMR) has received research interest as they can significantly enhance the performance of electronic devices and prevent adverse effects caused by electromagnetic pollution. Electromagnetic radiation absorbers with a low weight and small thickness of the absorber layer, good absorption capacity, and a wide frequency response bandwidth are highly demanded. Here, for the first time, the properties of polymer nanocomposites FeCoCr/C synthesized by doping FeCoCr alloy nanoparticles into a polymer matrix of pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile are investigated. An analysis of the magnetic properties of FeCoCr/C nanocomposites showed that increasing the synthesis temperature increased the specific magnetization and coercive force values of the FeCoCr/C nanocomposites. The dependence between the ratio of metals in the precursor of pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile and the electromagnetic and wave-absorbing properties of FeCoCr/C nanocomposites is considered, and the results of complex dielectric and magnetic permeability measurements are analyzed. It is found that the most promising of all the studied materials are those obtained at T = 700 °C with the ratio of metals Fe:Co:Cr = 35:35:30. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we test if cost-efficient X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses can be used to fingerprint Palaeogene clay and marl deposits in Denmark. A total of 67 samples from key sites in Denmark have been analysed. Our preliminary results indicate that it is possible locally within 10–30 km to distinguish between most of the Palaeogene units, but on a regional scale across Denmark, the units are not unique, and this probably reflects variations in clay mineralogy, grain size and calcareous content. Accordingly, we suggest that a comprehensive reference database is now needed if the full potential of the method is to be utilised, and this will ultimately result in more reliable geological models.

At the end of the last glacial period in the northern hemisphere, meltwater from receding ice sheets accumulated into large proglacial lakes, potentially limiting postglacial afforestation. We explored whether former islands of proglacial Lake Ojibway (Canada) (hilltops in the current landscape) could have acted as migration outposts and thus accelerated the postglacial migration. We extracted sediments from two small lakes located on "paleo-islands" and used XRF to detect changes in soil erosion and vegetation biomass. We also used plant macro-remains and wood charcoal to determine if (and which) tree species colonized the sites and to detect local fire events. Organic sediment accumulation started around 9657 and 9947 cal. yr BP at Lakes Perché and Despériers, respectively, before the level of Lake Ojibway started to decrease and liberate parts of the studied landscape ca 9400 cal. yr BP. Lithogenic elements (Ti, K, Sr, Fe, Zr, and Rb) decreased between the beginning of organic sediment accumulation and 8800–8700 cal. yr BP, indicating reduced soil erosion, possibly due to soil stabilization by vegetation. Then, the S/Ti ratio, a proxy of organic matter increased around 8800 and 8400 cal. yr BP. The earliest tree macro-remains (Larix laricina and Pinus spp.) were found between 9850 and 9500 cal. yr BP. Local fires were detected around 9820 and 8362 cal. yr BP. Early afforestation occurred on the islands of Lake Ojibway, 200 and 450 years before its level started to decrease, confirming that some islands acted as migratory outposts accelerating postglacial migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed studies of processes of sediment-record formation are necessary for accurate sediment-derived paleo environmental reconstructions. In order to understand the deposition of sediments in meromictic Lake Shira (southern Siberia, Russia), we conducted a multi-year seasonal sediment trap study of sediment fluxes of chemical elements, organic and inorganic carbon, total nitrogen and photosynthetic pigments for a period from 2012 to 2017. In 2015 and 2016, a rare event of transition from meromixis (i.e. long-term hypolimnetic anoxia) to holomixis was observed, which was accompanied by the temporary disappearance of hydrogen sulfide from the water column in spring and a decrease in hydrogen sulfide in other seasons compared to the meromictic state. In general, we did not reveal any noticeable differences between the meromictic and holomictic states in the composition of sediments, except for okenone. The content of okenone, a specific carotenoid of purple sulfur bacteria, decreased in traps during the holomictic state and did not considerably increase two years after the meromixis restoration. Using a freeze-corer, we observed that the content of okenone in the uppermost 3-mm layer of sediments also decreased markedly from 2013 to 2017, as well as in traps. The sedimentation flux of molybdenum reflected the seasonality of hydrogen sulfide content in the water column, and it was maximal in winter, in contrast to all other sediment components. Other components reflected the seasonality of organic production and terrigenous inputs, with the maximum in late summer and autumn. An increase in the sedimentation rate of terrigenous elements in the autumn of 2012 was supposedly caused by the anomalous amount of precipitation in August 2012. Since detailed inter-annual observations of sedimentation processes are not often found in limnology, we hope that our results will be useful for reconstructing regional climate and, further, the understanding of sediment dynamics of stratified temperate water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discussed the results of a study of the chemical composition of 170 non-ferrous metal samples originating from Golden Horde cities and rural sites of the Lower Volga region and Azak. XRF and SEM/EDS methods were used as methods of determining the elemental composition. The most significant groups of metal for all sites were two- and three-component bronzes with low and high concentrations of tin, as well as brass and multicomponent alloys, which somewhat brings the Golden Horde metalworking closer to the traditions of South-Eastern and North-Eastern Rus. In the materials from Selitrennoye settlement, more than half of the samples are various types of brass, while at other monuments (Azak, Bolgar, rural monuments of the Uvek district) their share doesn’t exceed 10%, which may indicate the uneven use of various alloys in different regions of the Golden Horde. Another distinctive feature of the Golden Horde metal is the extremely limited use of fusible alloys.

The Yodhawewa archaeometallurgical site was the latest discovery in Sri Lanka in 2018. This study aimed to trace the archaeological and geochemical relationship by analyzing the soil and slags of the site dating back to the c. first to eighth centuries AD. The analysis was mainly based on the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) method. The soil chemistry resulted in some clues to special metal processing zones in the excavation-1 area. The cultural layers of that area (profiles 1 and 2) showed relatively high copper composition (max. 470 ppm), and crucible fragments containing copper particles were also detected in the same layers. The vertical distribution of soil elements and their correlations with TiO2 suggested that long-term metal activity may have affected changes in environmental soil chemistry. Relatively high phosphorus was indicated in the soil-related furnace wall, suggesting the artificial addition of organic matter to the clay body during the furnace wall construction to withstand the high temperatures. High iron slag (HIS) varies from 12.96 to 49.63 wt% of Fe2O3 and shows high MnO, P2O5, and V. Lightweight amorphous/glassy slags (LIS) associated with secondary refining have low iron content and a high CaO and Sr composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, a hoard of two bronze objects – a shield fibula and a spiral armlet – was discovered in the cadastral area of Držov in the Písek region. These artefacts are so far quite unique in South Bohemia. They both can be dated to the beginning of the Final Bronze Age (Ha B1). The fibula has its nearest analogy in an assemblage discovered in the nearby village of Vrcovice and is probably of local provenance. It is interesting that the fibula was repaired with two decorated pieces of sheet metal which could have come from another fibula. The Držov hoard is only the fifth hoard of the Jenišovice horizon in South Bohemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information about a small assemblage of glass artefacts from the middle/late La Tène period which were found by surface collection south of the village of Chlumec (Olešník, České Budějovice District). The most extraordinary find is a fragment of a spool-shaped bead with decoration in the form of a schematised human face, which has not been recorded in Bohemia before. This form of face beads proves contacts between South Bohemia and the Carpathian Basin, as most of the previously known specimens come from Moravia, Slovakia and Hungary. The article also presents the results of XRF analysis of glass samples which allowed us to reliably exclude two artefacts from the assemblage whose chemical composition does not correspond to La Tène period glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2021, a functionally undetermined ring and a deformed upright of a Roman lantern were discovered with the help of a metal detector on the slope of the Hušák hill in the cadastral district of Lázy (district Svitavy). Both objects exhibit a similar metal composition. This is the second published find of a part of a Roman lantern from the territory of the Czech Republic and from the Barbaricum in general. The question remains whether the presence of a Roman lantern is related to the evidenced military intervention in the form of a Roman temporary military camp at the nearby town of Jevíčko, and whether the deposition on the slope of aprominent landmark was connected with ritual activities, or with metalworking, or with both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In November 2018, allegedly after loosening a boulder on the slope of the Zámok hill, in the cadastral territory of the municipality of Málinec (district of Poltár) a Final Bronze Age hoard was found. The hoard consisted of four bronze objects: three socketed axes with a loop of different types and a chape of a sword scabbard. In the site, some sherds were also found, but it is not clear if they belong to the hoard. Apart from typological and topographical analysis of the site, this paper presents data about the elemental composition of the artefacts obtained using the XRF method. The exact circumstances relating to the hoard are not known, but its finding does significantly contribute to general knowledge about settlement and activity carried out by the representatives of the Kyjatice culture in the upper basin of the Ipeľ river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation Br (Bromine), Cr (Chromium) and Pb (Lead) concentrations were assessed employing X-ray florescence spectrometry to evaluate seasonal variation of these elements in the xero-halophyte Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt., a shrub with high pastoral value. The results showed that A. canescens and its surrounding soil have similar accumulation patterns for Br and Pb across seasons, but Cr concentrations in shrubs are higher in spring than other seasons. The seasonal mean contents of trace elements in A. canescens descend in the following order: Cr (8.33 µg g− 1) > Br (5.34 µg g− 1) > Pb (0.24 µg g− 1). The maximum element transfer factor (ETF) of Cr and Pb was recorded in summer and autumn. However, no significant difference between seasons was found for Br. Principle component analysis (PCA) showed that Br, Cr and Pb were associated negatively with soil during all seasons. In contrast, A. canescens was only associated to Cr contents in the spring. Results provide evidence also that the levels of Br, Cr and Pb were within the safety-limits recommended by the National Research Council (NRC) guidelines for animal nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical Lake Sentani in the Indonesian Province Papua consists of four separate basins and is surrounded by a catchment with a very diverse geology. We characterized the surface sediment (upper 5 cm) of the lake's four sub-basins based on multivariate statistical analyses (principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering) of major element compositions obtained by X-ray fluorescence scanning. Three types of sediment are identified based on distinct compositional differences between rivers, shallow/proximal and deep/distal lake sediments. The different sediment types are mainly characterized by the correlation of elements associated with redox processes (S, Mn, Fe), carbonates (Ca), and detrital input (Ti, Al, Si, K) derived by river discharge. The relatively coarse-grained river sediments mainly derive form the mafic catchment geology and contribution of the limestone catchment geology is only limited. Correlation of redox sensitive and detrital elements are used to reveal oxidation conditions, and indicate oxic conditions in river samples and reducing conditions for lake sediments. Organic carbon (TOC) generally correlates with redox sensitive elements, although a correlation between TOC and individual elements change strongly between the three sediment types. Pyrite is the quantitatively dominant reduced sulfur mineral, monosulfides only reach appreciable concentrations in samples from rivers draining mafic and ultramafic catchments. Our study shows large spatial heterogeneity within the lake's sub-basins that is mainly caused by catchment geology and topography, river runoff as well as the bathymetry and the depth of the oxycline. We show that knowledge about lateral heterogeneity is crucial for understanding the geochemical and sedimentological variations recorded by these sediments. The highly variable conditions make Lake Sentani a natural laboratory, with its different sub-basins representing different depositional environments under identical tropical climate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cemetery section comprising 35 burials was excavated at the site of Tiszakurt- Zsilke-tanya. The burial rites suggest that the community who interred their dead here was of East European steppe origin, settled primarily east of the Tisza River. The graves were poorly furnished; the main chronological indicators are melon seed-shaped beads and two pairs of earrings with big bead pendants. Based on these, the cemetery section can be dated between the 640s and the 680s. The archaeological analysis is complemented by an anthropological, archaeozoological, and pottery analysis, as well as a study of metal and glass composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Colloquium Anatolicum is the property of Necmi Karul and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Archeologia Polski is the property of Instytut Archeologii i Etnologii Polskiej Akademii Nauk and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Archaeologia Historica is the property of Masaryk University, Faculty of Arts and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Archaeological, Anthropological, & Interdisciplinary Studies (JAAIS) / Revista de Arheologie, Antropologie si Studii Interdisciplinare is the property of Institute of Bioarchaeology & Ethnocultural Research (ICBE) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Thermophilic fungi are superlative microorganisms for enzyme production, especially cellulase, and their using in biotechnological applications is due to their stability at utmost temperatures. In the current investigation, we isolated six genera encompassing six fungal species and one species variety from 30 samples of compost at 45 °C and 55 °C. Thermomyces lanuginosus was the most rampant species. The colony diameter of T. lanuginosus ranged from 2.8 to 4.3 cm at 45 °C on yeast-starch agar (YpSs) medium with white or greyish-brown mycelia. Fifteen isolates of T. lanuginosus were cellulase producers with variable competencies with a C/Z range of 1.09–1.38 cm. Fascinatingly, the clear zone diameter was much bigger when using Iodine than those obtained using Congo red. T. lanuginosus isolate no. 33 produced substantial amounts of cellulase on the four used media: Corncob (CC), Corncob treated with NaOH (C-NA), Yeast Peptone Dextrose (YPD), and CarboxyMethyl Cellulose (CMC) with the highest activity on CC; 143.9 μg/min, also cellulase gene expression levels of cel6Aq, cel7Aq, and bgl3Aq genes exhibited higher fold changes in the CC condition (7.26-fold, 11.51-fold, and 3.39-fold, respectively). X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis revealed the presence of 11 minerals with higher concentrations in CC than in C-NA. Supplementation of corncob medium with rosemary essential oil (CR) completely inhibited cellulase production. It adversely affected the growth, and changes in conidia, which were depicted using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Interestingly, the conidia appeared much bigger than other media, and the large conidia diameter was 10.2–12.1 μm. [Display omitted] • We utilized the agro-waste Corncob in the induction T. lanuginosus cellulase activity. • XRF analysis of CC, showed the presence of cellulase inducible elements with higher concentration than C-NA. • Expression levels of cel6Aq, cel7Aq, and bgl3Aq genes on CC-containing medium were higher than other used media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a form of treatment commonly used for routine clinical applications, such as wound healing of the skin and reduction of inflammation. Additionally, PBMT has been explored for its potential in pain relief. In this work, we investigated the effect of PBMT on ion content within the 50B11 sensory neurons cell line in vitro using X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) and atomic force microscope (AFM) analysis. Two irradiation protocols were selected utilizing near-infrared laser lights at 800 and 970 nm, with cell fixation immediately following irradiation. Results showed a decrease in Calcium content after irradiation with both protocols, and with lidocaine, used as an analgesic control. Furthermore, a reduction in Potassium content was observed, particularly evident when normalized to cellular volume. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular impact of PBMT within 50B11 sensory neurons under normal conditions. Such understanding may contribute to the wider adoption of PBMT as a therapeutic approach. [Display omitted] • Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a form of treatment, employed for pain relief. • The effect of PBMT on ions in 50B11 sensory neurons using XRF and AFM was studied. • a decrease in Calcium and Potassium content after irradiation was observed. • these findings confirmed a molecular impact of PBMT on 50B11 sensory neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article studies the data from a weekly campaign devoted to the study of the elemental composition of PM10 in a selected receptor, in a suburban area (Mazowieckie Voivodeship). The sampling point was located at the intersection of main roads and in the vicinity of a typical single-family housing, not far from the electrified Warsaw-Białystok railway line and a small heating plant. The research was carried out in the summer season, in order to minimize the impact of municipal emissions on the concentrations and elemental composition of PM10. A Horiba PX-375 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer was used to measure the one-hour concentrations of elements related to PM10. On the basis of the obtained results, the enrichment factors for PM10 in the analyzed elements (EF) were calculated and the principal components analysis (PCA) was performed. It was found that although the elemental composition of PM10 in all tested time intervals was noticeably influenced by the emissions from transport, the municipal emissions had a significant impact on the elemental composition, especially those related to coal combustion, and thus the concentration of PM10 during the study period. It seems that the possibility of observing the influence of all relevant sources on the composition and concentration of PM10 was possible owing to the use of hourly-averaged measurements of the elemental composition of PM10. In the case of daily averaged measurements, in a receptor with such PM10 elemental profile, it would be impossible to determine the periods, in which specific - qualitatively completely different - emission sources dominate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To produce quicklime, high calcium carbonate rocks, including limestone, are burned in industrial kilns at 1100–1450 °C. As a consequence of the high temperatures, the carbonate rock can break and decrepitate into fine material, causing operational problems and material losses. In the present paper, an industrial case study on thermal decrepitation was performed on Boda Limestone from the Jutjärn quarry in Dalarna, Sweden. We analyzed 80 limestone samples for thermal decrepitation; furthermore, the correlation with chemical composition was statistically analyzed. The experiments were complemented by a detailed analysis of thermally-induced cracking at a range of temperatures (ambient, 500 °C, 800 °C, and 1150 °C) for two limestone samples with similar chemical compositions but with very different decrepitation behaviors. Decrepitation was analyzed by an in-house method, the chemical composition by XRF, and the thermally-induced cracking was investigated by SEM and image analysis. No strong correlation was found between thermal decrepitation and the chemical composition of the limestone. For the sample with low thermal decrepitation, a dense narrow network of fractures was found after full calcination; however, this network was not observed in the sample with high thermal decrepitation. A plausible explanation for the different decrepitation behaviors is that this fracture network releases internal stress and stabilizes the calcined rock. The obtained results can help in predicting limestone thermal decrepitation, enabling increased resource efficiency in quicklime production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When dispersive soils are used in the core structure of embankment dams, due to their high erosion sensitivity, they cause internal erosion and cause such dams to collapse. Such soils should be determined at the design stage and not used in the construction of fill dams. Dispersive soils can be determined by physical (Crumb test, double hydrometer test and pinhole test) and chemical (chemical content of the pore fluid) experiments. In this study, as an alternative method, computer models have been developed to predict the dispersibility class of soils with the help of genetic programming (GP) using XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) analysis results. 66.9% of the 181 data used in prediction models created with Genetic Expression Programming (GEP) are training data; the remainder was used as test data. In computer models where major (SiO2, Al2O3) and minor (MgO, CaO, Na2O, K2O) oxides are used as input data, soils are successfully predicted as dispersive (D) and nondispersive soils (ND) at high rates. The most successful forecasting model is the one that consists of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, CaO and Na2O input data in the entire data set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Identification by XRF of gilding techniques at the Royal Palace in Caserta. • Multivariate and Graphs analyses on XRF spectra and elemental concentrations. • Characterization of gilding, preparatory layer, support, and restoration by XRF. • Estimation of gold thickness by PLS method applied on XRF spectra. • Gilding analysis on brass, copper, wood, and lead objects. An analytical study of the gilding techniques on thirty-eight artworks belonging to the museum collection and storeroom of the Royal Palace in Caserta (Italy) is reported. X-ray fluorescence technique (XRF) was successfully used to analyze the surface layer of the objects and to obtain the main compositional features. Results derived from detailed analyses of the XRF spectra were processed by dendrogram, k-means, graphical clustering, partial least squares regression and principal component analysis. Each gilding technique was characterized. Data on any preparatory layer, on the structure of the gilded object, and on the thickness of the gold foil or leaf used were also obtained. Mercury and oil gilding were identified on brass, copper and ceramic objects, gouache gilding on wood and lead, as well as the absence of gilding and the presence of porporina due to bad restorations. News also emerged on some brass or copper structures that were cataloged as bronze. Furthermore, the thickness of the gold on some objects was estimated using the PLS method. Conservators and restorers will be able to take advantage of these results to update their archives, for the preservation and proper restoration of the artworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article considers a new approach for determining the functional zones of the prehistoric archaeological sites in Eastern Europe by the method of geochemical indication: the use of mathematical statistics for processing the geochemical data of cultural deposits at archaeological sites, and the identification of groups of interrelated chemical elements and compounds that reflects the processes of natural sedimentation and anthropogenic activity. It makes it possible to separate the lithological and anthropogenic components. This approach is important for the identification of geochemical element groups associated with different functional zones. The reconstructions were conducted at the Neolithic, Early Metal Age, and the Bronze-Early Iron Age sites in Eastern Europe. Abnormal concentrations of the association (P2O5antr, CaOantr and Srantr) in sediments are attributed to zones of accumulation of bone remains. Anomalous concentrations of a group of elements (K2Oantr, Rbantr) in deposits are associated with wood ash and fireplaces, ash residues from ritual activities, and fires. The group of elements (Ba, MnO, Corg) reflects the accumulation of humus and organic remains, and can characterize areas with food residues, skins, and rotten wood. With the help of the distribution of the main lithological elements (SiO2, Al2O3) in sediments, it is possible to reconstruct the paleorelief at the sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a rapid X‐ray fluorescence (XRF)‐based screening method for the determination of trace uranium in solutions. In this method, uranium present in a solution was adsorbed onto graphene oxide (GO), which was collected and subjected to XRF analysis. Upon increasing the sodium ion concentration, the aggregation of GO was promoted, facilitating its collection. Since the GO‐collecting membrane filter was significantly larger than the X‐ray irradiation field of the XRF spectrometer, it was folded to 1/3 of its original length and width. The folded membrane filter was sealed to prevent uranium from contaminating the device and to ensure that the folded membrane filter was sufficiently thin. Subsequently, the amount of sodium perchlorate added to the sample solution was optimized to attain a salinity meter reading of 3%. The minimum detection limit (MDL) for uranium using this method was 0.37 ng ml−1, and the time required to simultaneously analyze six samples was approximately 2 h. Converting the MDL to the radioactivity concentration under conservative conditions generated a value of 0.037 mBq cm−3. To demonstrate the applicability of this method, a standard seawater sample was subjected to analysis, and the uranium concentration determined using our calibration curve agreed with the actual value within a margin of error. Therefore, the proposed method is suitable for screening numerous uranium‐contaminated water samples of small volumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Stratum Plus Journal is the property of P.P. Stratum plus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In 2017, a so far unknown barrow containing a cremation burial was discovered on the eastern outskirts of the town of Strakonice. According to several distinctive bronze grave goods, it dates back to the beginning of the Late Bronze Age. It is the most westerly proven barrow grave from this period in South Bohemia. It was situated in a landscape which has so far been considered as a region with exclusively flat graves. The metal finds from the grave were analyzed using XRF analysis, the cremated bones were anthropologically investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article contains an evaluation of an assemblage consisting of two bronze objects which were found together in a wood near Zlivice in the Písek region in around 2010. A so-called cross anvil with two striking surfaces and two edges stands out. It is a rare find in the context of the whole of Bohemia. Judging from a fragment of a bronze bracelet which was found together with it, the anvil may probably date back to the close of the Middle or the turn of the Middle and Late Bronze Age. In the article, the anvil is analyzed both typologically and from the viewpoint of its material composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several small hoards of bronze objects have recently been found in the territory of north-eastern Slovakia. One of them – including two small bronze socketed axes and one spiral-shaped ornament – was found in the cadastral territory of the municipality of Stakčín (district of Snina), position Hlboké. The finds can be generally classified under the Late and Final Bronze Age, from the point of view of their cultural affliation with the Gáva culture. Apart from typological and topographical analysis of the find, all three objects were subjected to elemental analysis by means of the XRF method. This hoard enriches current knowledge about the settlement of this so far scarcely studied area east of the upper course of the Laborec river and about the finds located in mountainous regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to present a find of Final Bronze Age deposition with metal objects from Bzince pod Javorinou (dist. Nové Mesto nad Váhom) in western part of Slovakia. The hoard consisted of a bronze cup of Jenišovice type and five studs which can be dated to HB1. The analysis has shown that the deposition can be interpreted as a votive hoard situated in the very visible part of the Salašky Mountain. The Jenišovice cup as a commodity directly connected to the higher social rank indicates super-regional contacts of the local elites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The boat shaped fibulae of Šmarjeta type are in Northeast Alpine region considered, thanks to the frequent occurrence in the cemeteries of Dolenjska group in Slovenia, as an import from the Southeast Alpine area. However, the gradually increasing number of finds of these fibulae in Northeast Alpine region (Moravia, Slovakia, Austria) indicates the hypothetic question of their local manufacture and distribution. The research of the authors aims to verify this hypothesis focusing on the technical features of individual fibulae (21 pieces from Moravia and 17 pieces from Slovakia) as well as by the XFRF measurement of the composition of the alloy, they are made of. The present paper brings the preliminary results of this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction. This paper presents the results of the study of the chemical composition of nonferrous and precious metal items from the excavations of the Selitrennoe settlement by the Volga Region Archaeological Expedition in 1986–1989 stored in the State Historical Museum. Methods and materials. XRF was used as a method of determining the elemental composition; the main technological operations were determined using the trasology method. A total of 63 subjects were analyzed, including domestic items, jewelry and items related to production. Analysis and Results. The alloys have been distinguished depending on the presence and concentration of alloying elements: brass (two-component, tin, lead, multicomponent), bronzes (tin, lead, leadarsenic, tin-lead, tin-zinc, and multicomponent) and silver alloys (multicomponent high silver bronzes and goldsilver alloy). Inclusions of soldering with silver in the solder and gilding according to the amalgamation have been also recorded. The results of the analysis show the prevalence of two-component brass and multicomponent alloys, a small amount of tin bronzes and the complete absence of items from “pure” metals – copper, tin and lead. The common practice of using recycled metal can be judged by the relatively low content of zinc in brass and a large proportion of multicomponent alloys. Despite the presence of distinguishable stable groups, a wide range of concentrations suggests the absence of clear recipes, including for certain categories of objects. The dependence of the applied technology on the composition of metal is also revealed. The sample of the Selitrennoe settlement is significantly different from other large series of analyses of the Golden Horde time (Bolgar Region, Uvek and its neighborhood).

Abstract This study demonstrated using yttrium (Y) as an indicator to estimate the total rare earth element and Y contents (REY) in coal-associated samples and to facilitate selection of samples with high REY assays in a fast and inexpensive manner. More than 10 anthracite-associated samples were collected from each of three Pennsylvanian sites (sites B, J and C) based on Thorium gamma ray logging suggesting high REY content. Several samples from each site were analyzed by ICP-MS to determine the rare earth distribution patterns and to establish the site-specific linear equations of Y and REY. The Y contents of the remaining samples were measured by a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer, and the REY values were estimated based on the site-specific linear equation developed earlier. R-squared values above 0.70 were obtained for all the estimation equations from all three sites on both a whole sample basis and an ash basis. Previously, ash content has been widely used as an indicator of high REY content. This may not be applicable for a specific site. Site B in this study is an example where ash contents could not be statistically correlated with REY, so using Y for estimation is more applicable. The demonstrated sample screening process is suitable for samples from sites that share more similar distribution patterns (either MREY or LREY or HREY) as well as for samples from sites that share multiple distribution patterns (LREY/MREY/HREY) depending on the desirable accuracy. The demonstrated process lowers the analytical cost from $70 to 80 dollars per sample to $10–15 per sample while significantly reducing the processing time and acid consumption for ICP digestion. This is particularly true when a relatively large sample size is involved, for example, 100 samples from one site analyzed by ICP-MS/OES.

In the investigation the assessment of the distribution of the elementary composition in the superficial layers of the tooth enamel in the field of erosion was held using XRF analysis. The results showed the increased content of Zn, S, Cl, K and Sr. And its maximum appeared in the middle of the erosion. Besides that in the investigation the assessment of the qualitative changes in the elementary composition of the tooth enamel in the field of erosion was held using XRF analysis. It showed that in the field of erosion the content of phosphorus decreases more intensively in comparison with calcium and, as a result, Са/Р increases.