Loanleven: Analysis of Green Stained Bone Fragments

Extract

Introduction

The bone fragments from Loanleven had several areas of green staining on their surfaces. They were analysed elementally to determine whether copper was present in the stained areas which might suggest that they were due to corrosion of a copper object.

Method

The bone fragments were analysed quantitatively without sampling or surface preparation using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF). A Rhodium target X-ray tube run at an accelerating voltage of 46KV was used to produce the primary X-ray beam which was collimated to give an elliptical irradiated area on the surface of the specimen about 1 mm x 1.5 mm.