Interdisplinary Journal of Research and Development
Vol (IV), No.2, 2017
“Alexander Moisiu“ University, Durrës, Albania
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Paper presented in 1-st International Scientific Conference
on Professional Sciences, “Alexander Mosiu” University, Durres
November 2016
ELEMENTS CHARACTERIZATION WITH X RAY FLUORESENCE OF THREE
IRON WORKING TOOLS OF III-I CENTURY BC FOUND IN DURRES
EDLIRA DUKA1, NIKO CIVICI2, TEUTA DILO3, OLTA ÇAKAJ3
1
FIM&IF, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
Centre of Applied Nuclear Physics, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
3
Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]
2
ABSTRACT
Albania, as a result of the geographic position in the Mediterranean, which is known as one of the most
important places of world civilization, it preserves inside a considerable number of archaeological sites,
that are evidence of this civilization. One of the richest cities with archaeological remains in Albania is
Durres (Dyrrahu), dates back to the VII century BC. Durres had ceramics manufactory, metal, leather,
fabrics handicrafts, construction site for shipbuilding etc. since V-th centuries BC. Three iron working tools
analyzed in this study, belong to Hellenistic cultures, are found in the outskirts of Durres. Agriculture was a
skill to Illyrians and then to Albania. Many of the ancient tools and the late ones, have similarities to each
other even to our days. For these three objects exhibited in the Institute of Culture Monuments, the
chemical elements composition was determined with non-destructive x ray fluorescence (XRF). From these
results the pickaxe, anvil and machete consists of over 99% iron. These objects contain also Cu 0.05% until
0.26% and Mn below 0.97%. At the pickaxe except Fe, Cu and Mn, although it contained As in a very
small percentage 0.14%.
Key words: XRF; Iron object; Mediterranean; Durrës (Dyrrahu)
INTRODUCTION
Excavation have shown important and valuable
materials, which help to solve a series of problems
such as cultural, chronological, and ethnic in different
places (Prendi, 1982; Prendi, 1985; Ceka & Korkuti,
1993). Cultural exchange such as merchant
connections, wars, and different technological
opportunities as well, can be discussed here through
investigation and studies of the material of the object.
However, to take technologic information about the
process, the iron objects should be studied by
archaeometallurgic methods. Archaeometallurgy, as
one of the components of the general discipline
known as archaeometry, is the field of research where
the information for antique metal objects,
archaeological and historical obtained through the
study of the technology of production and the use of
metals, and their alloy through the methods of natural
science (ASM Vol. 9, 2004; Scott, 2013).
Durrës (Albanian pronunciation), historically also
known
as Durazzo (Italian
pronunciation)
and Dyrrachium, is the second largest city and
a municipality of Albania. It is one of the most ancient
and economically significant cities of Albania.
Thousands of years ago, Durres (Dyrrah), was one of
the most important center of trade between East and
West. This may have impact to the exchange and
import of goods, as well as iron ingots. Archaeologists
declare that till now no iron processing furnaces have
been found in the city. Series of physical and chemical
tests needed to show whether findings of iron objects
are produced in this city or are imported. The largest
number of objects founded is objects of war but
working tools are evident as well, because agriculture
was known in Albania since the Neolithic time, and
the city has a favorable geographical position for
agriculture development.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Three iron working tools found in Durres are in focus
of this study. These objects are founded during
25 Elements characterization with x ray fluorescence of…
E. Duka et.al
______________________________________________________________________________________
excavation of two necropolises near historical
museum of the city. First object study is a pickaxe
with length 0.23 m, width of the blade 0.061 m, and
0.025 m hole diameter. The hole has been used to put
its wooden tail, and this object was good edged as
well. An excellent edged tool could be produced using
low carbon steels. The second object study is an anvil,
width 0.131 m and height 0.116 m. In most cases the
anvil is used as a forging tool. Before the advent of
modern welding technology, anvil was a primary tool
of metal workers. The third object is a machete with
length 0.30 m, and width 0.045 m. Below in table 1
are presented the characteristics of artefacts.
Table 1. Characteristics of artefacts.
The objects are photographed and drew before
analysis with µ-XRF (MIT, 2003; Einarsdóttir Sif.S.
2012). µ - X ray fluorescence analysis for these
objects mentioned above, are made during their
restoration in environment of Institute of Cultural
Monuments (IMK).
The chemical elemental composition was examined
with transportable µ-XRF spectrometer ARTAX
Bruker (60µm spot diameter, detective capacity from
Na to U). The spectrometer probe consists of an air
cooled X-ray micro focus Rh-anode tube (max tension
50 kV, max current 600 µA, Be window 0.2mm
thickness), and a polycapillary X-ray lens as a
focusing optical element (IfG, 21.2mm focal
distance). The X-ray detection is performed by a
silicon drift detector (X-Flash, 1000B) with 146 eV
FWHM at 10 kcps coupled with a digital signal
processor. For the quantification, M-Quant software
from Bruker was employed which is based on the
fundamental parameter approach. The EDXRF
technique utilized in this case provided quantitative
results. A wide set of pure thick targets was used for
calibrating the elemental response of the instrument.
Firstly, the dimensions of the objects were measured,
and then they were photographed and sketched. Below
are photos of each object together with the respective
sketch.
Analyzed objects were painted with lacquer in order
to be protected from corrosion, so it was necessary to
remove the lacquer in the certain spot before analyzed
using diluent and abrasive paper.
Figure. 2 Photo on the left is anvil object during
measurements and on the right show the X ray
fluorescence device mounted in the Institute of
Cultural Monuments.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Non-destructive microanalysis of the chemical
composition and the structure of ancient materials in
the last decade has become an irreplaceable tool for
the identification of archaeological material, the
investigation of provenance or fabrication procedures.
µ - X Ray Fluorescence gains more and more
Figure 1. Objects photo on left and sketches on
the right, A) pickaxe, B) anvil, C) machete.
With 1 and 2 are note analyze positions with
XRF.
26 Interdisplinary Journal of Research and Development
Vol (IV), No.2, 2017
“Alexander Moisiu“ University, Durrës, Albania
______________________________________________________________________________________________
importance for the analysis of objects of the cultural
results of the objects on their two positions, was
heritage (Duka, 2013).
nearly the same. Mn has been seen present in all
Below in Table 2, are shown results of the µ-X ray
objects with values between 0.26% in the anvil to
fluorescence of three objects together, furthermore in
0.97% in the pickaxe. Cu and As are present only in
Figure 3 is shown the spectrum for each object.
pickaxe object but in small values. Those chemical
elements can be present as a result of impurity from
Table 2. Quantitative analysis for each object on 1st
soil. Concentration of Ni in pickaxe object is very
and on 2nd analyze positions. For each chemical
small, it may be present like impurity. The high
element are presented the percentage of the chemical
content of iron and Mn have been seen also in other
elements, and the standard deviation for each measure
studied artefacts from different places of Albania
(% (m/m) ± S.D.)
(Duka, 2013), but more detailed analysis needed to
determine the origin, and production technology
features of these objects.
CONCLUSION
According to the X ray fluorescence results done so
far, in this study the pickaxe, anvil and machete are
steel objects. The percentage of iron is nearly the
same for all three objects. All three objects contain
mangan with values between 0.26% in the anvil, to
0.97% in the pickaxe. Concentration of Mn is higher
in pickaxe object compare to other objects, it may be
as a result of mineral used during smelting. The
objects in this article can be subject of further studies.
REFERENCES
ASM Metals Handbook Volume 9 (2004).
Metallography and Microstructures. The Materials
Information Company.
Ceka N, Korkuti M (1993) Arkeologjia: GreqiaRoma-Iliria, Tiranë, pp 62.
Duka E (2013) X ray fluorescence analysıs of three
ıron workıng tools of III-II century BC found ın
Shkodra,
Melgushë
and
surroundıng
area.
InternationalConference Research and Education in
Natural Sciences, (RENS, 2013) Shkodër, pp. 242247. ISBN: 978-9928-4135-5-0
Einarsdóttir Sif.S (2012) Mass-conservation of
Archaeological Iron Artefacts, A Case Study at the
National Museum of Iceland.
MIT (2003) The Metallographic Examination of
Archeological Artifacts, Laboratory Manual. Summer
Institute in Materials Science and Material Culture.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA, pp 4-6.
Prendi F (1982) The prehistory of Albania, Cambridge
Anicent History, Vol. III, Part. I, Chapter V, The
prehistory of Balkans, The Middle East and Aegean
World tenth to eighth centuried B.C., pp.187-237.
Figure 3. µ- X ray fluorescence spectrum on the 1st
analyze position of each object.
From results it is seen that the percentage of iron is
very high, between 98.57 - 99.74 %, and measured
27 Elements characterization with x ray fluorescence of…
E. Duka et.al
______________________________________________________________________________________
Prendi F (1985) Unitet dhe veҫori në kulturën Ilire të
epokës së hekurit në territorin e Shqipërisë, Iliria 1,
pp.63-92.
Scott DA (2013) Ancient Metals: Microstructure and
Metallurgy. Vol. IV: Iron and Steel.
28