Background:
For more than a decade, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF)
spectrometry is the primary analytical technique in archaeometric research and especially in the study
of ancient copper artefacts. EDXRF has established itself as the fundamental archaeometric analytical
technique because of features like: the ability to analyze samples in a non destructive or non invasive
way, no requirements for sample preparation, portability, in situ analysis, simultaneous determination
of many elements and finally its easy in use. At the same time there is an explosion of related
research publications which provide new possibilities to museums and archaeology scientists. On the
other hand, due to its limitations it cannot provide information for every analytical question.
Objective:
The goal of this article is to present an overview of the capabilities of the contemporary
EDXRF spectrometry for the study of ancient copper artifacts and the necessity to be implemented,
depending on the analytical question, in correlation with complementary analytical techniques which
are presented through related case studies.
Conclusion:
The demand for studying artefacts in situ, the evolution of the instrumentation and the
access of more scientists (historians, archaeologists, curators etc.) to archaeometry will maintain
EDXRF spectrometry as the central analytical technique. Limitations like inability for light elements
detection, penetration depth, low (relatively) sensitivity can be partially overcome with the implementation
of other analytical techniques which will provide complementary information. Moreover,
progress in non-invasive analysis and new portable instruments combining elemental and molecular
techniques expand significantly the capabilities of in situ analysis.
Determination of Element Levels in Selected Wild Mushroom Species in Turkey Using Non-Destructive Analytical Techniques
