Study of a Late Bronze Age Casting Mould and Its Black Residue by 3D Imaging, pXRF, SEM-EDS, Micro-FTIR and Micro-Raman
Metadatos
Mostrar el registro completo del ítemAutor
Figueiredo, Elin; Lackinger, Aaron; Bottaini, Carlo; Miguel, Catarina; Mirão, José; Comendador Rey, BeatrizEditorial
MDPI
Materia
Archaeometallurgy Late Bronze Age Casting mould Carbon black Burned bones P-XRF SEM-EDS Micro-FTIR Micro-Raman 3D reconstruction
Fecha
2021Referencia bibliográfica
Figueiredo, E.; Bottaini, C.; Miguel, C.; Lackinger, A.; Mirão, J.; Comendador Rey, B. Study of a Late Bronze Age Casting Mould and Its Black Residue by 3D Imaging, pXRF, SEM-EDS, Micro-FTIR and Micro-Raman. Heritage 2021, 4, 2960–2972. https://doi.org/10.3390/ heritage4040165
Patrocinador
FEDER - COMPETE 2020 Programme (European Regional Development Fund through the regional program of Lisbon and Alentejo); National Funds - FCT (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) - Project IberianTin (PTDC/HAR-ARQ/32290/2017); HERCULES Laboratory - UIDB/50025/2020-2023 to CENIMAT/i3N and the project number, reference UIDB/04449/2020 and UIDP/04449/2020; DL57/2016/CP1372/CT0012 (Norma Transitória); City University of MacauResumen
In the present work, a fragment of a stone mould recently found in Galicia (NW Spain)
was studied by multiple analytical techniques approach involving 3D optical imaging reconstruction
to obtain data about the shape of the mould, typology of artefact produced, and distribution of a
black residue at the surface of the mould and pXRF, SEM-EDS, micro-FTIR, and micro-Raman to
investigate the nature of the black residue. The study shows that the mould was likely used for
socketed axes with a side loop, was originally composed of two valves and one core, and that it might
have been subjected to a repair during use. The black residue is distributed in the carved surface
and spreads to nearby surfaces as a result of the use of the mould. The alloy cast in the mould was a
ternary bronze (Cu + Sn + Pb). The analyses by SEM-EDS of black residue covering the surface did
show the presence of scattered micro particles with P and Ca, and micro-Raman analysis detected the
presence of a carbon black of animal source, while micro-FTIR analysis detected remains of proteins,
oxalates, and hydroxyapatite. These results are amongst the very few studies made on black residues
of ancient moulds and suggest that the mould was dressed with a carbon black of animal origin, such
as burned bones, prior to metal casting, probably used as a coating agent to improve the casting and
artefact recovery.