Synchrotron X-ray diffraction investigation of the surface condition of artefacts from King Henry VIII's warship the Mary Rose.

ABSTRACT: Synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) measured on the XMaS beamline at the ESRF was used to characterize the alloy composition and crystalline surface corrosion of three copper alloy Tudor artefacts recovered from the undersea wreck of King Henry VIII's warship the Mary Rose. The XRD method adopted has a dynamic range ∼1:105 and allows reflections <0.002% of the height of major reflections in the pattern to be discerned above the background without smoothing. Laboratory XRD, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, synchrotron X-ray fluorescence and X-ray excited optical luminescence-X-ray near-edge absorption structure were used as supporting techniques, and the combination revealed structural and compositional features of importance to both archaeology and conservation.

SUBMITTER: Dowsett MG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7206548 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature