Issue 12, 2016

Novel application of X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) for the non-destructive micro-elemental analysis of natural mineral pigments on Aboriginal Australian objects

Abstract

This manuscript presents the first non-destructive synchrotron micro-X-ray fluorescence study of natural mineral pigments on Aboriginal Australian objects. Our results demonstrate the advantage of XFM (X-ray fluorescence microscopy) of Aboriginal Australian objects for optimum sensitivity, elemental analysis, micron-resolution mapping of pigment areas and the method also has the advantage of being non-destructive to the cultural heritage objects. Estimates of pigment thickness can be calculated. In addition, based on the elemental maps of the pigments, further conclusions can be drawn on the composition and mixtures and uses of natural mineral pigments and whether the objects were made using traditional or modern methods and materials. This manuscript highlights the results of this first application of XFM to investigate complex mineral pigments used on Aboriginal Australian objects.

Graphical abstract: Novel application of X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) for the non-destructive micro-elemental analysis of natural mineral pigments on Aboriginal Australian objects

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
07 Oct 2015
Accepted
14 Mar 2016
First published
14 Mar 2016
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Analyst, 2016,141, 3657-3667

Author version available

Novel application of X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) for the non-destructive micro-elemental analysis of natural mineral pigments on Aboriginal Australian objects

R. S. Popelka-Filcoff, C. E. Lenehan, E. Lombi, E. Donner, D. L. Howard, M. D. de Jonge, D. Paterson, K. Walshe and A. Pring, Analyst, 2016, 141, 3657 DOI: 10.1039/C5AN02065D

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