TY - JOUR A1 - Wolff, Timo A1 - Rabin, Ira A1 - Montouvalou, I. A1 - Kanngießer, B. A1 - Malzer, W. A1 - Kindzorra, Emanuel A1 - Hahn, Oliver T1 - Provenance studies on Dead Sea scrolls parchment by means of quantitative micro-XRF N2 - In this study, we address the question of the provenance and origin of the Dead Sea Scrolls manuscripts. A characteristic low ratio of chlorine to bromine, corresponding to that of the Dead Sea water, may serve as an indicator for local production. For this aim we developed a non-destructive procedure to determine the Cl/Br ratio in the parchment of these manuscripts. Micro-X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) measurements of a large number of parchment and leather fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls were analyzed with a routine we developed based on fundamental parameter quantification. This routine takes into account the absorption of the collagen matrix and the influence of the different sample thicknesses. To calculate the representative Cl/Br ratio for each fragment, we investigated the lateral homogeneity and determined the total mass deposition using the intensity of the inelastically scattered, characteristic tube radiation. The distribution of the Cl/Br ratios thus obtained from the µ-XRF measurements make it possible to distinguish fragments whose origin lies within the Dead Sea region from those produced in other locations. KW - Fundamental parameter quantification KW - Samples of intermediated thickness KW - Chlorine to bromine ratio KW - Scatter peak evaluation KW - Dark matrix KW - Inorganic traces KW - Archaeometry KW - Fine arts KW - Inorganic compounds KW - Trace elements KW - X-ray spectroscopy PY - 2012 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-011-5270-2 SN - 1618-2642 SN - 1618-2650 VL - 402 IS - 4 SP - 1493 EP - 1503 PB - Springer CY - Berlin AN - OPUS4-25511 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mantouvalou, I. A1 - Wolff, Timo A1 - Hahn, Oliver A1 - Rabin, Ira A1 - Lühl, Lars A1 - Pagels, M. A1 - Malzer, W. A1 - Kanngiesser, B. T1 - 3D Micro-XRF for cultural heritage objects: new analysis strategies for the investigation of the Dead Sea scrolls N2 - A combination of 3D micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (3D micro-XRF) and micro-XRF was utilized for the investigation of a small collection of highly heterogeneous, partly degraded Dead Sea Scroll parchment samples from known excavation sites. The quantitative combination of the two techniques proves to be suitable for the identification of reliable marker elements which may be used for classification and provenance studies. With 3D micro-XRF, the three-dimensional nature, i.e. the depth-resolved elemental composition as well as density variations, of the samples was investigated and bromine could be identified as a suitable marker element. It is shown through a comparison of quantitative and semiquantitative values for the bromine content derived using both techniques that, for elements which are homogeneously distributed in the sample matrix, quantification with micro-XRF using a one-layer model is feasible. Thus, the possibility for routine provenance studies using portable micro-XRF instrumentation on a vast amount of samples, even on site, is obtained through this work. KW - Archaeometry KW - 3D X-ray spectroscopy PY - 2011 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/ac2011262 SN - 0003-2700 SN - 1520-6882 VL - 83 IS - 16 SP - 6308 EP - 6315 PB - American Chemical Society CY - Washington, DC AN - OPUS4-25209 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hahn, Oliver A1 - Rabin, Ira A1 - Wolff, Timo A1 - Kanngießer, B. A1 - Malzer, W. A1 - Mantouvalou, I. A1 - Schade, U. A1 - Masic, Admir A1 - Weinberg, G. T1 - Non-destructive investigation of the dead sea scrolls N2 - The Dead Sea Scrolls belong to the most important cultural assets of mankind. Their long term preservation and study is a challenge that demands an interdisciplinary approach. As early as the 1950s natural scientists assisted the scholars in studying the scrolls. It was at this time that the first extensive study of the scroll material took place. It was found that most fragments were written not on leather but on parchment. In addition, a method for determining the age of the parchment was developed which is still of value today. In the 1990s the AMS-C14 method confirmed the palaeographic determination of the age of the manuscripts. The use of carbon ink throughout the scrolls is also consistent with the known scribal practices of that time. There are, however, manuscripts, and among them the famous Genesis Apocryphon Scroll, which exhibit ink corrosion, normally associated with iron-gall inks. Today, 60 years after their discovery, a community of scientists from the Jewish National and University Library (JNUL), the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin), the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) and Fritz-Haber-Institute of the MPG (FHI) set out to scientifically investigate the finds of Qumran using the most modern methods. The results of the study will be used to determine the provenance of the texts as well as to contribute to their long-term preservation. A considerable part of the non-destructive investigation is taking place in the Berlin State Library and at the Berliner Elektronenspeicherring-Gesellschaft für Synchrotronstrahlung , BESSY II. Preliminary investigations, performed at the BAM on some fragments, were used to evaluate the extent to which X-ray analytical methods can provide information regarding the geographical origin of the fragments and match the individual pieces. The interpretation of the measurement results is made more difficult by age and storage of the objects. It is believed that ageing processes as well as conservation methods have altered the samples in addition to the changes caused by environmental influences. In collaboration with the TU Berlin, the samples from the parchments found in the caves near Qumran were tested by means of three-dimensional synchrotron based X-ray fluorescence analysis (3D-SyXRF). The aim of this non-destructive investigation was the identification of the inorganic material used in the manufacture of the parchments. The XRF experiments are supported by the non-destructive analysis by means of synchrotron based infrared spectroscopy (SyFTIR) in collaboration with BESSY II as well as optical and electron microscopy in collaboration with Fritz-Haber-Institute (FHI). T2 - Art 2008, 9th International Conference CY - Jerusalem, Israel DA - 2008-05-25 KW - Cultural heritage KW - Archaeometry KW - Micro-XRF KW - Quantification KW - Parchment KW - DSS PY - 2008 IS - CD-ROM SP - 1 EP - 7 PB - ISAS International Seminars CY - Jerusalem, Israel AN - OPUS4-17547 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - GEN A1 - Rabin, Ira A1 - Hahn, Oliver A1 - Wolff, Timo A1 - Mantouvalou, I. A1 - Kanngießer, B. A1 - Weinberg, G. T1 - Dead sea scrolls - development of the analysis methodology T2 - Modern approaches to the conservation and accessibility of cultural and historic monuments CY - St. Petersburg, Russia DA - 2009-10-20 KW - Dead sea scrolls KW - Conservation science KW - Non destructive testing PY - 2010 SN - 978-5-8192-0370-5 SP - 122 EP - 129 AN - OPUS4-23329 LA - rus AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Rabin, Ira A1 - Hahn, Oliver A1 - Wolff, Timo A1 - Mantouvalou, I. A1 - Kanngießer, B. A1 - Weinberg, G. T1 - Material studies on the Dead Sea scrolls T2 - Conference "Preservation and access of monuments of culture and history: modern approaches" CY - Saint Petersburg, Russia DA - 2009-10-20 KW - Dead Sea scrolls KW - Archaeometry KW - Restoration and conservation science KW - Cultural heritage KW - Writing materials PY - 2009 SP - 122 EP - 129 AN - OPUS4-23177 LA - rus AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -