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The paper reports on the composition of thirty-eight Late Roman glass fragments (3rd–4th century CE) from Viminacium, the capital of Moesia Province, and Egeta, the fort controlling Iron Gates Gorge on the Roman Danube Limes. The glasses are measured using simultaneous particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and particle-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE). The analysis shows that sixteen glasses belong to the Roman glass decolourized by antimony, nine to the Roman glass decolourized by manganese, and one is recycled using these two types. Five glasses belong to the Foy série 3.2, two to HIMT, one to Jalame type with manganese and one to the rare plant-ash type P-1, produced in Egypt, and for the first time reported from the continental Europe. The comparison of the finds with the contemporary glass from Serbia and from the wider Balkans shows a marked shift in glass trading patterns between the epochs of the High Empire and the Late Antiquity. During the High Empire, glass seems to be imported to the central and eastern Balkans mainly from the west via Roman road Aquileia–Emona–Siscia–Sirmium–Viminacium and perhaps via Adriatic ports, while in the Late Antiquity it was predominantly from east to west, over the Danube, Via Militaris or Aegean ports. Another find is that the richness of the glass market in Viminacium indicates that the capital of Moesia province on the Danube limes was a cosmopolitan city.

International audience; La fluorosi ossea è una patologia legata all'ingestione a lungo termine di dosi molto elevate di fluoro e può portare ad un aumento della densità ossea. Le eruzioni e il degassamento dei sistemi vulcanici sono le cause più comuni della contaminazione da fluoro delle acque sotterranee.Gli scavi condotti nell'antica città di Cuma, situata nella regione vulcanica dei Campi Flegrei, hanno portato alla luce diverse decine di sepolture a cremazione, alcune delle quali riferibili ad individui con evidenti segni di intossicazione da fluoro. Questo studio presenta un approccio multidisciplinare, archeometrico e paleopatologico, applicato all'analisi dei resti umani cremati.

La fluorosi ossea è una patologia legata all'ingestione a lungo termine di dosi molto elevate di fluoro e può portare ad un aumento della densità ossea. Le eruzioni e il degassamento dei sistemi vulcanici sono le cause più comuni della contaminazione da fluoro delle acque sotterranee.Gli scavi condotti nell'antica città di Cuma, situata nella regione vulcanica dei Campi Flegrei, hanno portato alla luce diverse decine di sepolture a cremazione, alcune delle quali riferibili ad individui con evidenti segni di intossicazione da fluoro. Questo studio presenta un approccio multidisciplinare, archeometrico e paleopatologico, applicato all'analisi dei resti umani cremati.

Fifteen samples of medieval glazed pottery from Drastar (present day Silistra), Bulgaria, dated between 10th and 18th centuries AD were studied. The element concentration of the glazes was determined by Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Proton Induced Gamma Emission (PIGE) analysis. The composition of the clay bodies was studied by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) after pelletization of the powdered clay. In addition, Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) was used for characterization of the clay bodies.After subtraction of the PbO and CuO content, the comparison between the compositions of the clay bodies and the glazes revealed that both the calcareous and the non-calcareous samples were glazed using lead oxide by itself followed by firing in oxidizing atmosphere. Furthermore, it was shown that iron, copper and manganese oxides were used to achieve the desired colors. Quinze échantillons de céramiques glaçurées médiévales de Drastar (aujourd'hui Silistra), en Bulgarie, datés entre les 10ème et 18ème siècles après J.-C. ont été étudiés. Les compositions élémentaires des glaçures ont été déterminées par les méthodes analytiques : émission de rayons X induite par protons (PIXE) et émission de rayons gamma induite par protons (PIGE). La composition de la matrice argileuse a été étudiée par spectrométrie de masse á plasma inductif avec ablation laser (LA-ICP-MS) sur pastilles des poudres d'argiles. En complément, la microscopie électronique à balayage couplée á la spectroscopie X en dispersion d’énergie (SEM-EDX) a été aussi utilisée pour la caractérisation des matrices argileuses.Après soustraction des teneurs en PbO et CuO, la comparaison entre les compositions des matrices et celles des glaçures a révélé que tous les échantillons (pâtes calcaires et non calcaires) ont été glaçurés en utilisant de l'oxyde de plomb suivi d'une cuisson en atmosphère oxydante. De plus, il a été montré que le fer, le cuivre et les oxydes de manganèse ont été utilisés pour obtenir les couleurs souhaitées.

International audience; At the European recent Prehistory variscite was a precious gemmological material that appears in scarce megalithic burials of the Atlantic facade, especially at the Iberian peninsula and West France. Here we describe the main results of the mineralogical and geochemical analysis of a great and diverse group of archaeological and geological variscite and turquoise samples from the Iberian peninsula, especially from the Atlantic facade and the SW of Spain. Samples were analysed last years by the use of different analytical techniques as XRD, WDXRF, ICP-MS-LA and PIXE and stereomicroscopy. The geochemical results, obtained especially by PIXE and ICP-MS-LA techniques, on these archaeological samples were discussed in relation to their possible provenance areas, related with the three main geological areas with variscite and turquoise outcrops in the Iberian peninsula: Palazuelo de las Cuevas-San Vicente area, that included other sites as El Bostal and Bragança district in Portugal; Pico Centeno mines, Encinasola area, in Huelva province, SW Spain; Gavá mines in Catalonia, NE Spain, and other possible sources in Europe as Pannecé, France. Geochemical data were subjected to statistical analysis selecting different chemical variables in variscites and turquoises. A relatively good discrimination has been obtained through an interactive geochemical model using specially the Fe-Cr-V relationship, represented by a triangular diagram and the elementary relationships between other chemical elements. These results show the existence, in Neolithic and Chalcolithic times, of great exchange networks of exotic or prestige lithic products that extended in Western Europe, hundreds and thousands of kilometres away from their source areas.; Durant la Préhistoire récente européenne, la variscite est une gemme précieuse qui apparaît dans des sépultures mégalithiques de la façade atlantique, en particulier dans la péninsule Ibérique et l’ouest de la France. Nous décrivons ici les principaux résultats de l’analyse minéralogique et géochimique d’un important ensemble de variscites et turquoises d’origines variées, à la fois des échantillons archéologiques et géologiques de la péninsule Ibérique, tout particulièrement de la façade atlantique et du sud-ouest de l’Espagne. Les échantillons ont été analysés au cours de ces dernières années à l’aide de différentes techniques d’analyse : XRD, WD-XRF, LA-ICP-MS, PIXE et stéréomicroscopieen particulier.Les résultats géochimiques, obtenus en particulier par méthodes PIXE et LA-ICP-MS, sur ces échantillons archéologiques sont interprétés en terme de zones de provenance possibles, en rapport avec les trois principaux domaines géologiques où affleurent la variscite et la turquoise dans la péninsule Ibérique : Palazuelo de las Cuevas – San Vicente, y compris d'autres sites comme El Bostal et le district de Bragança au nord du Portugal ; les mines de Pico Centeno, dans la commune d’Encinasola, province de Huelva, dans le sud-ouest de l'Espagne ; les mines de Gavá en Catalogne, dans le nord-est de l’Espagne et d’autres sources possibles en Europe. Les données géochimiques ont été soumises à une analyse statistique sélectionnant différentes variables chimiques des variscites. Une relativement bonne discrimination a été obtenue grâce à un modèleinteractif géochimique utilisant en particulier les rapports Fe-Cr-V, ainsi que les relations entre d'autres éléments traces. Ces résultats montrent l'existence durant les temps néolithiques et chalcolithiques de grands réseaux d’échange de biens de prestiges en matières minérales exotiques qui s’étendaient en Europe occidentale sur des centaines et des milliers de kilomètres de leurs régions d'origine.

Vessel and window glass fragments from the Roman archeological site at Mt. Kosmaj, Serbia, were investigated by means of PIXE and PIGE techniques. Window glass was also investigated by optical microscopy. Results show soda-lime-silica composition of all samples. Statistical evaluation was conducted by cluster analysis. Comparison was made with well-defined glass groups from other sites of the Roman Empire, including in the Balkans. This revealed the greatest similarity with Levantine materials. Glasses of similar composition can be found on the main trade routes coming from the region of Adria from the west or from the coast of the Black Sea at east. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Archaeometric analysis based on Optical Microscopy, X-Ray Fluorescence and Ion-Beam analysis were used to study a golden funerary belt with an anthropomorphic and zoomorphic iconography. This complex gold and enamel work shows the portraits of a man and a woman, as well as a libation scene, can be dated to the Early Hellenistic period. The data obtained point to a Near Eastern workshop (Babylon) as the place of manufacture, while comparative typology leads us to the Far East (Afghanistan) as the presumable origin of the morphotype. Elemental analysis results raise anew the old debate on the use of cadmium in the solder alloys. Finally, from the iconography we suggest to identify the manly figure with one of the few small format portraits of Alexander the Great.

International audience; The collection of early medieval window glass found in the abbey of Baume-les-Messieurs (Jura, France) is exceptional because it dates to the end of the eighth century, and due to the number of fragments as well as their state of conservation. Different colours and forms have been identified. These pieces are a rare opportunity to address the glass craft, its recipes and techniques for a phase of its history that has remained little known. Analyses in PIXE–PIGE prove that, in addition to fragments from two soda glass items, the pieces are made from wood-ash glass. Most of them probably came from the same production and the raw material is present in the region. At this early stage of wood-ash glass production, the glassmakers had mastered the glass as well as the colour processes.

La Châtaigneraie is a vein-type W-district which includes two mines within the metamorphic contact aureoles of granites. We have undertaken PIXE-PIGE trace element analyses of individual fluidinclusions and minerals associated with the primary W-ore stage. These were compared to trace element analyses of minerals and fluids from leucogranites and metamorphic schists. PIXE analysisusing a "funny filter" allows elements from K to U to be detected. This study shows that the method becomes absolute, providing that the geometry of the analytical apparatus is well-controlled. The Wprimary paragenesis possesses a trace element pattern similar to that of leucogranites (F, Mn, Zn,Ga, As, Nb, Sn, Ta, W, Bi). Only arsenic is independant, and rather controlled by micaschists. It has been detected in barrovian metamorphic fluids (¡Ö340 Ma) and in fluids and minerals from the W-ore stage (¡Ö305 Ma). W-veins are affected by tensile fracturing, quartz dissolution and deposition of vuggy pyrite and muscovite. The secondary vein-stage consists of native bismuth, bismuthinite,molybdenite, halcopyrite, covellite, tennantite, waylandite, cannonite, siderite and chlorite. Massive unmineralized tourmalinites develop synchroneously in veins or as replacement. In the La Granièremassive tourmalinites, cataclastic quartz contains numerous microinclusions of biotite, muscovite, Kfeldspar,ilmenite, zircon, monazite and xenotime. The characteristic trace element pattern of the secondary ore-stage is Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ti, Cr, Sc, V, Se, Zr, Ag, Cd, Ba, Sr, Sb, Hf, Y, La, Ce and Th. Associated fluids are H20-CO2-bearing, with trace amounts of K, Ca and base metals. Stage II fluids appear to be silica-undersaturated, K-, PO4- and Al-bearing, enriched in heavy and transition metals (including Sc and Cr) and REE, LILE and HFSE. They are similar to mantle metasomatic fluids. This is further confirmed by the geochemistry, mineralogy and microstructures of a W-vein and a lamprophyre crosscutting it, at the Enguialès mine. Mineral assemblages and fluid chemistry provide evidence for the generalized boiling of solutions in this district, in relation with the high heat fluxand the rapid uplifting of the area at the late Hercynian., Le district de la Châtaigneraie comporte deux mines de W de type filonien encaissées dans les micaschistes au contact des granites. Afin de contraindre la source de ces minéralisations, des analyses ponctuelles d'éléments traces dans des inclusions fluides et minéraux de la paragenèse minéralisée primaire ont été entreprises par PIXE-PIGE et comparées aux analyses des minéraux et des fluides des réservoirs métamorphique et leucogranitique, sources potentielles des métaux.L'emploi d'un "funny filter" lors de l'analyse PIXE permet la détection des éléments K à U. Ce travail illustre que cette méthode est absolue à condition que la géométrie du dispositif analytique soit connue précisément. La paragenèse primaire à W possède une signature d'éléments traces d'affinité leucogranitique (F, Mn, Zn, Ga, As, Nb, Sn, Ta, W, Bi). L'arsenic apparaît écouplé des leucogranites et contrôlé par les micaschistes encaissants : cet élément est détecté dans les fluides du métamorphisme barrovien (¡Ö340 Ma) et les minéraux et fluides du stade à W (¡Ö305 Ma). Les caisses filoniennes subissent une fracturation en tension, une intense dissolution du quartz, un dépôt géodiquede pyrite et muscovite, une paragenèse à bismuth natif, bismuthinite, molybdénite, chalcopyrite, covellite, tennantite, waylandite, cannonite, sidérite et chlorite. Des tourmalinites massives stériles se développent, en veines ou en remplacement, de façon contemporaine. Les tourmalinites de La Granière présentent du quartz cataclastique avec de nombreuses microinclusions de biotite, muscovite, feldspath potassique, ilménite, zircon, monazite et xénotime. Le cortège de traces de ce stade est caractérisé par Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ti, Cr, Sc, V, Se, Zr, Ag, Cd, Ba, Sr, Sb, Hf, Y, La, Ce et Th.Les fluides associés sont aquo-carboniques, riches en K, Ca, métaux de base. Le caractère de ce fluide, alumino-potassique, sous-saturé en silice, phosphaté, chargé en métaux lourds et de transition (y compris Cr et Sc), REE, LILE et HFSE, suggère une affinité avec des fluides métasomatiques du manteau, ce que confirment la géochimie, la minéralogie et la texture d'un lamprophyre sécant sur une veine minéralisée. La chimie des minéraux et des fluides indique une ébullition généralisée dessolutions à ce stade en liaison avec le flux thermique élevé et la remontée rapide du bâti en fin d'orogenèse.