FINGERPRINTING OF ROMAN MINTS USING LASER-ABLATION MC–ICP–MS LEAD ISOTOPE ANALYSIS

Authors: Ponting M.¹; Evans J.A.²; Pashley V.²

Source: Archaeometry, Volume 45, Number 4, November 2003 , pp. 591-597(7)

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Abstract:

In this paper we present data to demonstrate the applicability of laser-ablation MC–ICP–MS isotope analysis to archaeological artefacts, in this case Roman silver coins. The technique requires no chemical preparation, does minimal damage to the sample and yields external reproducibility that is better than conventional TIMS analysis; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb =±0.015% 2 in comparison with ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb =±0.04% 2, respectively. We show that Pb isotope compositions give isotope fingerprints to mints despite the likely reworking of the metal during coin production.

Keywords: THIRD CENTURY; PB ISOTOPES; ROMAN; SILVER; COINS; LASER ABLATION; MINTS

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1475-4754.2003.00130.x

Affiliations: 1: Rook Hill Cottage, 143 Main Street, Calverton, Nottingham NG14 6FE, UK. 2: NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK

Publication date: 2003-11-01