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Application of XRF and AMS Techniques to Textiles in the Mongol Empire

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Tomoko Katayama ,
Ari Ide-Ektessabi ,
Kazuki Funahashi  and
Ryoichi Nishimura
Tomoko Katayama
Affiliation:
[email protected], Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Mechanical Engineering and Science, Yoshidahonmachi Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan, +81 75 753 5259, +81 75 753 5259
Ari Ide-Ektessabi
Affiliation:
[email protected], Kyoto University, Graduate School of Engineering, Yoshidahonmachi Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
Kazuki Funahashi
Affiliation:
[email protected], Kyoto University, Graduate School of Engineering, Yoshidahonmachi Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
Ryoichi Nishimura
Affiliation:
[email protected], Kyoto University, Graduate School of Engineering, Yoshidahonmachi Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
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Abstract

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) techniques were applied to four pieces of ancient Mongolian textiles in order to assist cultural studies of the most significant era of medieval western Asian culture. Radiocarbon dating using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) was performed in order to determine the historical age of these pieces. Then, X-ray fluorescence analysis using Synchrotron Radiation (SR-XRF) was carried out in order to obtain elemental maps as well as investigate their constituent elements. Results showed that the textiles were produced between13th and 14th century, and possessed elements such as Au, Cu, Fe and Ti were traced in these pieces whereas Au was used to make gold threads. Cu, Fe and Ti are well known as metallic mordant. In addition, high resolution images were obtained using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to observe the textile structure and their weaving conditions. The whole collected data can assist in bringing into light and facilitate a deeper understanding of the medieval Mongolian cultures, the textile technology, staining techniques, material process technology of the Mongolian Empire and their relations with the neighboring east and central Asian cultures, such as Persia, India and China.

Keywords

archaeologyx-ray fluorescenceion beam analysis
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1047: Symposium Y – Materials Issues in Art and Archaeology VIII , 2007 , 1047-Y01-04
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2008

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