The Application Of X-ray Non-destructive Testing Technology In The Research Of Metal Cultural Relics

Development of non-destructive techniques gained an outmost importance in the field of culture heritage.This work focuses on the study of bronze alloy based Roman coins,found in a water well,built inside the ancient sanctuary of the Curiae Veteres(area of the north-eastern Palatine in Rome)and ritually closed in the late republican age.The coins are strongly concreted due to the aggressive environment and should be-for the most part-of the Roman-Republican age(III-II sec.B.C.).Due to the corrosion products and earth residues,it is hard to recognize them by naked eye.In this thesis work,the coins have been analyzed by means of techniques based on X-rays: X Ray Imaging(XRI)-Radiography and Computed Tomography(CT)-and X-Ray Fluorescence(XRF).These non-destructive techniques support the conservators work by giving information of internal structure and morphology details from highly corroded bronze objects covered with a mixture of soil and corrosion products.The combination of different techniques allows conservators to further investigate the state of decay or production technique,so as to support the conservation and preservation work.