Speaker
Myriam Krieg
(Site et Musée Romains Avenches SMRA)
Description
SUMMARY
This presentation describes the investigation of two objects from a necropolis (Nécropole à la Montagne) in Avenches (VD, Switzerland): a bracelet and a sanitary tool made of copper alloy and presenting different questions. In both cases it was necessary to get sight of the interior of the objects. For that purpose, completely non-destructively methods were needed.
Although methods with X-rays are very common and easily available, they often fail when larger amounts of metals are involved. In such cases, neutron imaging methods can be very useful since the penetration of neutrons through metals is much higher and clear information about the inner content and structure of inspected objects can be obtained. In the same way, the state of preservation of the metal can be studied very carefully due to the high sensitivity of neutrons for hydrogen, a component in the corrosion products.
Therefore, both objects were analyzed by neutron imaging and X-rays with the facility NEUTRA at the Swiss spallation neutron source of the Paul Scherrer Institut. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) was done at the University of Fribourg, Department of Geosciences. In addition, a non-metallic part of one object was studied by Raman-spectroscopy at the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg.
Based on these analyses it becomes possible to describe these two objects in a broad manner and to understand its manufacturing method.
Images, legend: The bracelet (left) and the sanitary tool (right) from the necropolis “A la montagne” (images: Paul Scherrer Institut PSI)
Primary authors
Anika Duvauchelle
(Site et Musée Romains Avenches)
Myriam Krieg
(Site et Musée Romains Avenches SMRA)
Co-authors
Dr
David Mannes
(Paul Scherrer Institute)
Dr
EBERHARD Lehmann
(Paul Scherrer Institute)
Laura Andrey
(Site et Musée Romains Avenches)
Sandra Gillioz
(Site et Musée Romains Avenches)
