Neutron Methods for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

This book introduces the wide range of neutron based characterization techniques, and their impact in cultural heritage research, to the broad community of archeologists, paleontologists, restaurateurs and conservators, historians and holders of private collections as well as material scientists and engineers dealing with the characterization of ancient materials. Answers to many practical questions will be given in conjunction with detailed examples describing some of the more fascinating highlights of applications of neutron techniques in recent investigations, in a form accessible to a large readership. The first section of the book will be dedicated to stories describing spectacular discoveries brought about by the use of neutron techniques in various applications. The second section will cover the experimental techniques in appropriate detail: basic principles, limitations and fields of application.Neutron based characterization techniques play a fundamental role in the conservation of cultural heritage because neutrons are very penetrating and therefore ideal for the non-invasive investigation of artefacts, allowing both surface and bulk properties to be measured. The full suite of neutron techniques available for Cultural Heritage research is impressive and many essential results have been obtained using one or more of these tools to provide information that cannot be determined in any other way. Neutron methods allow the characterization of the composition and mechanical properties of ancient materials, helping to answer questions related to the dating, the manufacturing process or the state of degradation of artefacts. The results obtained from neutron investigations are often essential for putting in place the proper restoration and conservation strategies or for establishing the correct classification of ancient samples.