January 16, 2023 Dataset Open Access

IBA analyses on ancient glass from Sarmizegetusa Regia, Romania (1st c. AD) (Metadata RADIATE TA Proposal 20002031-ST)

Bugoi, Roxana; Magureanu, Despina; Chiari, Massimo

Proposal title "IBA analyses on ancient glass from Sarmizegetusa Regia, Romania (1st c. AD)". Measurements carried out at the external beam set-up for cultural heritage of the INFN LABEC accelerator laboratory, from 7 till 10 November 2022. Hands-on mode.

A 3 MeV proton beam was extracted through a Si3N4 window into ambient pressure. Two SDD detectors were used for the measurement of characteristic X rays and a HPGe detector was employed for the quantitative analysis of the prompt gamma rays emitted by 23 Na nuclei.

The PIXE-PIGE measurements were performed on 38 glass fragments discovered at Sarmizegetusa, Hunedoara county, Romania and on 45 glass items unearthed at Poiana, Galaţi county, Romania. The archaeological vessel fragments were loosely dated to 1st c. AD  They were excavated in two Geto Dacian archaeological sites of high relevance for the historians.

Most of the measurements were made on tiny areas polished with SiC paper before the experiment, to ensure the determination of the pristine glass composition. Additional measurements were performed on some fresh surfaces, as some shards broke unwillingly
during the excavations. Some samples exhibited painted decorations or they were made of glass of various colours, hence more spectra. Several certified reference materials (glass standards NIST 610, NIST 1412 and BCR 126A) were measured as well, to assess the accuracy of the results.