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Characterization Techniques Used in the Forensic Analysis of a Metal Art Object

Graduate #47
Discipline: Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
Subcategory: Materials Science

Krystal Cunningham - University of California, Los Angeles
Co-Author(s): Carolyn Carta, Michelle Flores, Mark Goorsky, and Ioanna Kakoulli, University of California, Los Angeles



This research presents data from the contributions of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for trace evidence characterization of materials in the context of a forensic investigation in art and archaeology. In this communication we present preliminary results of our investigations in collaboration with special agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the analysis of a male bronze-looking sculpture (20.5″ x 9″) suspected to be looted or forged artwork. XRF in situ analysis provided qualitative information on the elemental composition of the surface and bulk materials, whereas XRD data on cross sectional samples and powders helped identify all crystal phases present. Results suggested that the bulk was made of native copper (Cu) sheets, affected by corrosion denoted by the presence of three of the most common copper corrosion phases: cuprite (copper oxide Cu2O), malachite (basic copper carbonate Cu2CO3(OH)2) and atacamite (copper chloride hydroxide CuCl(OH)3), the latter being characteristic of the ‘bronze disease’. ‘Bronze disease’ refers to the irreversible corrosion process that occurs when chlorides come into contact with copper or copper metal alloys. Other materials identified included surface deposits of calcite (CaCO3) and gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O), which could be associated with burial environments and weathering or deliberate additions to fake the authentication of the sculpture. The absence of elements such as arsenic (As) and tin (Sn), main components in bronzes, and the identification of copper sheets as the bulk material suggests that the object is not a cast bronze sculpture, typical of ancient production. However, the object shows small windows (holes in the sprueing system) implying a lost-wax bronze casting method. These may have been forged to imitate a bronze casting technology. Despite this evidence, further investigations will be conducted to confirm that these data are representative of the entire object and that the copper sheets are not modern repairs. This research, at the interface of materials science and archaeology, provides a cross-disciplinary effort to better study physical evidence and changes it has undergone due to its age and environment and to aid law enforcement practioners in combatting crime of archaeological looting and forgery of ancient materials.

References: Pecharsky, Vitalij K., and Peter Y. Zavalij. Fundamentals of Powder Diffraction and Structural Characterization of Materials. 69 Vol. Springer, 2009. Scott, David A. ‘An Examination of the Patina and Corrosion Morphology of some Roman Bronzes.’ Journal of the American Institute for Conservation 33.1 (1994): 1-23.

ERN abstract Conference.docx

Funder Acknowledgement(s): I thank Professor Ioanna Kakoulli and the Department of Homeland Security for providing the sample. Dr. Mark Goorsky and Dr. Ioanna Kakoulli provided logistic and research support. Funding was provided by the Bridges to Doctorate by National Science Foundation Fellowship and the Eugene Cota – Robles Foundation.

Faculty Advisor: Ioanna Kakoulli, kakoulli@ucla.edu

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

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