Synopses & Reviews
Raman Spectroscopy in Archaeology and Art History highlights the important contributions Raman spectroscopy makes as a non-destructive method for characterising the chemical composition and structure and in determining the provenance and authenticity of objects of archaeological and historical importance. It brings together studies from diverse areas and represents the first dedicated work on the use of this technique in this increasingly important field. Coverage includes: An Introduction to Raman Spectroscopy, including practical aspects of Raman spectroscopy and complementary techniques; Dyes and Pigments; Artefacts; Biological Materials and Degradation; Jewellery and Precious Stones. The book contains a broad selection of real-world examples in the form of case studies to provide the reader with a true appreciation of the procedures that need to be invoked to derive spectroscopic information from some of the most challenging specimens and systems. Colour illustrations of objects of investigation and a database of 72 Raman spectra of relevant minerals are included. With its extensive examples, Raman Spectroscopy in Archaeology and Art History will be of particular interest to specialists in the field, including researchers and scientific/conservation staff in museums. Academics will find it an invaluable reference to the use of Raman spectroscopy.
Review
From the reviews:
"Raman Spectroscopy in art and archaeology is on the up. 'This book is the first publication dedicated to the application of Raman spectroscopy in archaeology and art history and certainly will not be the last.
The first section of the book introduces the technique of Raman spectroscopy to the scientist and to the interested reader who possesses a basic grasp of physics and chemistry. These chapters form a 'way in" to seeing the use and advantages the technique can have in the sector of archaeology and museums.
The second section is the largest and arguably shows a bias towards paintings and dyes, but this is understandable considering how much care is needed in their handling. Their analysis by Raman spectroscopy shows the technique"s huge potential and success rate.
The next section covers ceramics, glass/glaze, textiles, waxes and others, demonstrating the wide variety of applications for the technique.
The best part of the book in my view is the last section which is a beautiful set of papers relating to the identification of jewellery and precious stones, and an extremely useful reference database of 74 minerals.
Even though there are some application areas that are not covered (building materials such as stone, mosaics, certain corrosion products on metals, and organics), this book provides a wealth of information and an up to date bibliography." (Ann Brysbaert, Chemistry World, September 2005)
Review
It is very suitable not only for scientists but also for those conservators involved with Art, Art History, Archaeology and the conservation of heritage......an excellent compendium of the state-of-the-art of Raman spectroscopy and, especially, the most recent advances and findings applied to Art History and Archaeology. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (2006), 385: 1037-1038 (Maria-Teresa Domenech-Carbo)
Review
An invaluable and timely contribution to science-based archaeology and art history. Antiquity, 80 (2006): 733-750 (Stephen Buckley)
Review
Without doubt essential reading for all those involved in archaeology in general and the conservation and proof of authenticity of works of art in particular. Chromatographia, January 2006, Vol. 63, No.1/2, 103-105 (E.R. Adlard)
Synopsis
With its extensive examples, Raman Spectroscopy in Archaeology and Art History will be of particular interest to specialists in the field.
Table of Contents
Section I. Introduction; Introduction to Raman Spectroscopy; Practical Raman Spectroscopy and Complementary Techniques; Section II. Dyes and Pigments: Overview: Dyes and Pigments; Case Study: Prehistoric Art; Case Study: Painters and Decorators: Raman Spectroscopic Studies of Five Romano-British Villas and The Domis Coiedii at Suasa, Italy; Case Study: Xth Century Manuscript Beato de Valcavdo; Case Study: Micro-Raman and GC-MS of Frescoes; Case Study: Field and in situ identification of pigments in works of art by micro-Raman and visible-NIR reflectance spectroscopies: a polychrome 16th-century Italian fresco and black-coloured Etruscan pottery; Case Study: The Analysis of Dyes by SERRS; Section III. Artefacts; Overview; Case Study: Raman spectroscopy: a powerful tool for the analysis of museum objects; Case Study: Glasses, Glazes and Ceramics - Recognition of the Ancient Technology from the Raman Spectra; Case Study: Fifteen Years of Artefacts Investigations by Raman Microscopy; Case Study: Phase Analysis of Third Millenium Syrian Ceramics by Micro-Raman Spectroscopy; Secion IV. Biological Materials and Degradation; Overview: Biological Materials and Degradation; Case Study: Raman Spectroscopy and Archaeological Biomaterials: Ochred Bones and Resin Tembetß; Case Study: Chinese Scrolls and other Fluorescent samples; Case Study: Ancient Textile Fibres; Case Study: Application of Raman spectroscopy to corrosion products; Overview: Jewellery and precious stones; Case Study: Diamonds, Gemstones and Pearls: From the Past to the Present; Case Study: Analysis of nephrite jade using Raman microscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy; Case Study: Mesoamerican Jade; Section VI. Databases; Database of 74 Raman Spectra of Standard Minerals of relevance to metal corrosion, stained glass or Prehistoric rock art; Section VII. Summary; Summary and Future.