A non-destructive analytical study of cultural heritage object
from Late Antiquity: gold framework and gemstone inlays

J 2023

A non-destructive analytical study of cultural heritage object from Late Antiquity: gold framework and gemstone inlays

HANUS, Radek, Kamil SOBEK, Kamil SOUČEK, Lubomír STAŠ, Lucie GEORGIOU et. al.

Basic information

Original name

A non-destructive analytical study of cultural heritage object from Late Antiquity: gold framework and gemstone inlays

Authors

HANUS, Radek, Kamil SOBEK (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution), Kamil SOUČEK, Lubomír STAŠ, Lucie GEORGIOU and Alena SELUCKÁ

Edition

Heritage Science, Springer, 2023, 2050-7445

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

10505 Geology

Country of publisher

United States of America

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

URL

Impact factor

Impact factor: 2.500 in 2022

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14310/23:00130364

Organization unit

Faculty of Science

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-00874-y

UT WoS

000944691200001

Keywords in English

Gemstones; Gold; Micro-Raman spectroscopy; X-ray computed tomography; Late Antique

Abstract

V originále

Recently found historical jewellery (Czech Republic) was subjected to detailed analyses to determine the gem inlays and the gold framework in which they are embedded. Such find fits into European jewellery archaeological artefacts containing similar stones from around the fifth century CE. The gemstones were analysed with optical microscopy and Raman micro-spectroscopy to determine their mineralogical characteristics and to find out typical structural-chemical differences based on which their provenance can be found. The results of this measurement discovered two main types of minerals from the garnet group, almandine and pyrope, where pyropes have been identified as Bohemian garnets thanks to the typical photoluminescence (PL) of chromium and vanadium impurities. The craftsmanship and processing of the goldsmith work were studied using X-ray computed tomography. Such a technique is an excellent contribution for detecting and visualising the internal parts hidden behind the placement of the stones. For this reason, 3D visualisation was used to describe and better understand all preserved parts. According to this object's very high cultural and historical value, the chosen methods are suitable for non-destructive study while proving to be essential to deepen our knowledge in archaeometric investigations focused on jewellery from Late Antiquity (with possible application to the jewellery from other periods). Based on the findings presented in this study, it is one of the world's oldest documented items using Bohemian garnets in jewellery. These findings underscore the tremendous economic and political importance of Bohemian garnet mineral resources altogether, with a second completely different type of garnet believed to have originated in distant India or Sri Lanka that was used in jewellery across Europe in Late Antiquity.

Citovat

HANUS, Radek, Kamil SOBEK, Kamil SOUČEK, Lubomír STAŠ, Lucie GEORGIOU and Alena SELUCKÁ. A non-destructive analytical study of cultural heritage object from Late Antiquity: gold framework and gemstone inlays. Heritage Science. Springer, 2023, vol. 11, No 1, p. 1-11. ISSN 2050-7445. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-00874-y.

@article{2260057,
   author = {Hanus, Radek and Sobek, Kamil and Souček, Kamil and Staš, Lubomír and Georgiou, Lucie and Selucká, Alena},
   article_number = {1},
   doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-00874-y},
   keywords = {Gemstones; Gold; Micro-Raman spectroscopy; X-ray computed tomography; Late Antique},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {2050-7445},
   journal = {Heritage Science},
   title = {A non-destructive analytical study of cultural heritage object from Late Antiquity: gold framework and gemstone inlays},
   url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-00874-y},
   volume = {11},
   year = {2023}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2260057
AU  - Hanus, Radek - Sobek, Kamil - Souček, Kamil - Staš, Lubomír - Georgiou, Lucie - Selucká, Alena
PY  - 2023
TI  - A non-destructive analytical study of cultural heritage object from Late Antiquity: gold framework and gemstone inlays
JF  - Heritage Science
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
SP  - 1-11
EP  - 1-11
PB  - Springer
SN  - 20507445
KW  - Gemstones
KW  - Gold
KW  - Micro-Raman spectroscopy
KW  - X-ray computed tomography
KW  - Late Antique
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-00874-y
N2  - Recently found historical jewellery (Czech Republic) was subjected to detailed analyses to determine the gem inlays and the gold framework in which they are embedded. Such find fits into European jewellery archaeological artefacts containing similar stones from around the fifth century CE. The gemstones were analysed with optical microscopy and Raman micro-spectroscopy to determine their mineralogical characteristics and to find out typical structural-chemical differences based on which their provenance can be found. The results of this measurement discovered two main types of minerals from the garnet group, almandine and pyrope, where pyropes have been identified as Bohemian garnets thanks to the typical photoluminescence (PL) of chromium and vanadium impurities. The craftsmanship and processing of the goldsmith work were studied using X-ray computed tomography. Such a technique is an excellent contribution for detecting and visualising the internal parts hidden behind the placement of the stones. For this reason, 3D visualisation was used to describe and better understand all preserved parts. According to this object's very high cultural and historical value, the chosen methods are suitable for non-destructive study while proving to be essential to deepen our knowledge in archaeometric investigations focused on jewellery from Late Antiquity (with possible application to the jewellery from other periods). Based on the findings presented in this study, it is one of the world's oldest documented items using Bohemian garnets in jewellery. These findings underscore the tremendous economic and political importance of Bohemian garnet mineral resources altogether, with a second completely different type of garnet believed to have originated in distant India or Sri Lanka that was used in jewellery across Europe in Late Antiquity.
ER  -

HANUS, Radek, Kamil SOBEK, Kamil SOUČEK, Lubomír STAŠ, Lucie GEORGIOU and Alena SELUCKÁ. A non-destructive analytical study of cultural heritage object from Late Antiquity: gold framework and gemstone inlays. \textit{Heritage Science}. Springer, 2023, vol.~11, No~1, p.~1-11. ISSN~2050-7445. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-00874-y.

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