Nuclear Techniques for Cultural Heritage Research

Book excerpt: "Scientific studies of art and archaeology are a necessary complement to cultural heritage conservation, preservation and investigation. Nuclear techniques, such as neutron activation analysis, X ray fluorescence analysis and ion beam analysis, have a potential for non-destructive and reliable investigation of precious artefacts and materials, such as ceramics, stone, metal, and pigments from paintings. Such information can be helpful in repair of damaged objects, in identification of fraudulent artefacts and in the appropriate categorization of historic artefacts."--P. [4] of cover.