SYNCHROTRON-BASED X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS OF BYZANTINE PLASTER FIGURINES FROM JORDAN MUSEUM

Abstract

Non-destructive analysis techniques became an important approach for the characterisation of cultural heritage and conservation science. In this study, for the first time, Synchrotron-based X-ray Fluorescence (SR-XRF) analysis, at the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME), was utilized to examine and analyze three Byzantine plaster figurines from Jordan Museum. Analysis was applied to identify the main composition of the body, the black drawings on the figurines and the mirror fragment on one of the objects. The results showed that the matrix of the body is composed of Calcium carbonate (plaster) and other inclusions were added to facilitate setting of the lime during hydrating. The black drawing on the objects was identified as wooden charcoal. Finally, results showed that the mirror is not a silicon based but a highly polished surface material composed of manganese (Mn), galium (Ga) and lead (Pb).