A very good document to understand how usefull is the radiography in science for art.

1. CIRAM Analysis
Analysis, authentication and dating
of work’s of art
CIRAM Analysis
Analysis and dating
of cultural heritage
CIRAM Archaeology
Analysis and dating
of archaeological artefacts
CIRAM Track
Safe marking and traceability
of objects
ART AND ARCHEOLOGY OBJECTS AUTHENTICATION:
X-RAY RADIOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTION
Why developing a crossed approach
X-ray digital radiography in situ / Material analysis?
16, avenue Pey-Berland Chem’Innov – 33600 Pessac – France
Tel.: +33 5 57 34 21 18 Fax : +33 5 56 23 45 35
www.ciram-art.com
Contacts : Dr Olivier Bobin, Dr Emmanuel Vartanian
CIRAM SARL au capital de 21.000 € ENSPB - Chem’Innov Tél. & Fax : 00.33.(0)5.56.23.45.35
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2. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 2 / 17
Terracotta
Thermoluminescence X-ray Radiography
Thermoluminescence gives an X-ray radiography permits to
approximate dating of the last evaluate the structural
firing of the object. homogeneity of the piece.
Approximate dating. Not representative of Direct view of the No material analysis:
the whole object. restoration areas, of can not determine
Unique method eventual falsification the making-period of
adapted to terracotta and setting-up. the object.
giving this result.
Jointed use of the methods
- Approximative dating of the material
- Homogeneity of the whole
CIRAM SARL au capital de 21.000 € ENSCPB – Chem’Innov Tél. & Fax : 00.33.(0)5.56.23.45.35
480 825 652 RCS Bordeaux - APE 742C 16, avenue Pey-Berland Portable : 00.33.(0)6.66.63.80.99
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3. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
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Few examples…
6000
Intensité T L (u.a.)
5000 Nat
Nat + 8,7 Gy
Nat + 17,5 Gy
4000
Nat + 26,2 Gy
Bruit de fond
3000
600000
Intensité T L (u.a.)
2000
500000
1000
400000
0
225 275 325 375 425
300000 température (°C)
200000
100000
-6,0 dose d´irradiation (Gy)
0
-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Dose Naturelle
Thermoluminescence analysis compatible
with the presumed age of the objects….
…. and internal structures « abnormal » in
X-ray digital radio.
CIRAM SARL au capital de 21.000 € ENSCPB – Chem’Innov Tél. & Fax : 00.33.(0)5.56.23.45.35
480 825 652 RCS Bordeaux - APE 742C 16, avenue Pey-Berland Portable : 00.33.(0)6.66.63.80.99
SIRET 480 825 652 00021 33607 Pessac Cedex E-mail : contact@ciram-art.com
N° TVA Intracommunautaire FR 56 480 825 652 France Site web : www.ciram-art.com

4. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 4 / 17
20000
Intensité T L (u.a.)
18000
Nat
16000
Nat + 8,7 Gy
14000 Nat + 17,5 Gy
Nat + 26,2 Gy
12000
Bruit de fond
10000
8000
6000
4000
2500000
2000
Intensité T L (u.a.)
0
225 275 325 375 425
2000000 température (°C)
1500000
1000000
500000
-10,0 dose d´irradiation (Gy)
0
-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Dose Naturelle
Thermoluminescence analysis compatible with
the presumed age of the objects….
…. and internal structures « abnormal » in
X-ray digital radio.
CIRAM SARL au capital de 21.000 € ENSCPB – Chem’Innov Tél. & Fax : 00.33.(0)5.56.23.45.35
480 825 652 RCS Bordeaux - APE 742C 16, avenue Pey-Berland Portable : 00.33.(0)6.66.63.80.99
SIRET 480 825 652 00021 33607 Pessac Cedex E-mail : contact@ciram-art.com
N° TVA Intracommunautaire FR 56 480 825 652 France Site web : www.ciram-art.com

5. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 5 / 17
2000
Intensité TL (u.a.)
1800
Nat
1600
Nat + 2,7 Gy
1400
Nat + 5,5 Gy
1200 Bruit de fond
1000
800
600
45000
400 Intensité TL (u.a.)
40000
200
0 35000
50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
30000
température (°C)
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
-1,5 dose d´irradiation (Gy)
0
Thermoluminescence analysis compatible
-4 6
with the presumed age of the objects…. Dose Naturelle
…. and an internal structure « abnormal »
in X-ray digital radio.
CIRAM SARL au capital de 21.000 € ENSCPB – Chem’Innov Tél. & Fax : 00.33.(0)5.56.23.45.35
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N° TVA Intracommunautaire FR 56 480 825 652 France Site web : www.ciram-art.com

6. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 6 / 17
2500
Intensité TL (u.a.)
2000 Nat
Nat + 12,0 Gy
1500 Bruit de fond
1000
500 3000
Intensité TL (u.a.)
0 2500
50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
température (°C)
2000
1500
1000
500
-0,7 dose d´irradiation (Gy)
0
-10 0 10 20
Dose Naturelle
Thermoluminescence analysis incompatible with
the presumed age of the objects ….
900 …. and internal structures « normal »
Intensité TL (u.a.)
800 in X-ray digital radio.
Nat
700 Nat + 6,0 Gy
600 Nat + 12,0 Gy
Bruit de fond
500
400
300
8000
200 Intensité TL (u.a.)
100 7000
0
6000
50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
température (°C)
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0,0 dose d´irradiation (Gy)
0
-10 0 10 20
Dose Naturelle
CIRAM SARL au capital de 21.000 € ENSCPB – Chem’Innov Tél. & Fax : 00.33.(0)5.56.23.45.35
480 825 652 RCS Bordeaux - APE 742C 16, avenue Pey-Berland Portable : 00.33.(0)6.66.63.80.99
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7. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 7 / 17
Metals
Microanalysis X-ray radiography
Microanalysis permits to evaluate
X-ray radiography permits to
the chronological compatibility of
evaluate the structural
the metal and its deteriorations
homogeneity of the piece.
with the presumed area.
Chronological Not representative of Direct view of the No material analysis:
compatibility the whole object. restoration areas, of can not determine
evaluation. eventual falsification when the object was
Unique method and setting-up. made.
adapted to metals
giving this kind of
information.
Jointed use of the methods
- Chronological compatibility of the material
- Homogeneity of the whole
CIRAM SARL au capital de 21.000 € ENSCPB – Chem’Innov Tél. & Fax : 00.33.(0)5.56.23.45.35
480 825 652 RCS Bordeaux - APE 742C 16, avenue Pey-Berland Portable : 00.33.(0)6.66.63.80.99
SIRET 480 825 652 00021 33607 Pessac Cedex E-mail : contact@ciram-art.com
N° TVA Intracommunautaire FR 56 480 825 652 France Site web : www.ciram-art.com

8. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 8 / 17
Few examples…
Microanalysis shows that a part of the constitutive material of the object has an ancient metal
properties.…
… and radiography reveals a modern setting-up.
…besides, the microanalysis
permits to identify the material used
for the patches’ junction: a metal
and organic medium mix.
CIRAM SARL au capital de 21.000 € ENSCPB – Chem’Innov Tél. & Fax : 00.33.(0)5.56.23.45.35
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N° TVA Intracommunautaire FR 56 480 825 652 France Site web : www.ciram-art.com

9. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 9 / 17
Radiography brings to light a complex whole: restoration, use of a modern material, modern
combination…
O
… the microanalysis permits the study of different materials. Particularly, it distinguishes an
ancient metal from a modern metal and resin mix.
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10. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 10 / 17
Radiography brings to light restorations at the level of the side of the object…
… microanalysis completes the study determining the modernity of the material used for the restoration.
O
O
O
… at the same time, the microanalysis determines the age of the constitutive metal of the whole object.
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11. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 11 / 17
… the base shows the use of a material
different from the one constituting the
whole…
… the characters are constituted by a
material less dense than the rest of the
object.
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12. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 12 / 17
Stones
Microanalysis X-ray Radiography
Microanalysis permits to evaluate
X-ray radiography permits to
the chronological compatibility of
evaluate the structural
the stone’s deteriorations with the
homogeneity of the piece.
presumed area.
Evaluation of the
chronological Not representative of Direct view of the No material analysis:
compatibility. the whole object. restoration areas, of can not determine
eventual falsifications when the object was
Unique method or setting-up. made.
adapted to stones
giving this kind of
information.
Jointed use of the methods
- Chronological compatibility of the material
- Homogeneity of the whole
CIRAM SARL au capital de 21.000 € ENSCPB – Chem’Innov Tél. & Fax : 00.33.(0)5.56.23.45.35
480 825 652 RCS Bordeaux - APE 742C 16, avenue Pey-Berland Portable : 00.33.(0)6.66.63.80.99
SIRET 480 825 652 00021 33607 Pessac Cedex E-mail : contact@ciram-art.com
N° TVA Intracommunautaire FR 56 480 825 652 France Site web : www.ciram-art.com

13. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 13 / 17
An example…
Radiography brings to light restoration
areas…
Microanalysis shows the use of a
modern material…
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14. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 14 / 17
Wood
Carbon 14 X-ray radiography
Carbon 14 permits to date the X-ray radiography permits to
death of the living organism evaluate the structural
having been used for the making homogeneity of the piece.
of the object.
Direct dating. Not representative of Direct view of No material analysis:
the whole object. restoration areas, of can not determine
Method permitting to eventual falsifications when the object was
give the maximal age Does not date the and setting-up. made.
of the object’s object as it.
making.
Jointed use of the methods
- Material dating
- Homogeneity of the whole
CIRAM SARL au capital de 21.000 € ENSCPB – Chem’Innov Tél. & Fax : 00.33.(0)5.56.23.45.35
480 825 652 RCS Bordeaux - APE 742C 16, avenue Pey-Berland Portable : 00.33.(0)6.66.63.80.99
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15. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 15 / 17
Few examples…
A sculpture…
Pointing up of metallic elements into the
sculpture…
b/
Fraction pMC corrected Conventional age δ13C(‰)
wood, alkaline residue, 4.0 mg C 120.17 ± 0.67 > 1955 -29.31 ± 0.02
Radiocarbon age: > 1955 AD
… radiocarbon shows, as for it, that the wood is modern.
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16. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 16 / 17
A painting…
Radiography does not show any
anomaly…
Fraction Correction pMC Conventional age δ13C(‰)
wood, alkaline residue , 4.1 mg C 96.63 ± 0.33 275 ± 30 BP -24.13 ± 0.09
Radiocarbon age : 276 ± 28 years BP
Age Calibré : cal AD 1643
1 Sigma cal AD 1527 - 1554 (Probability 28,7 %)
(Probability 68,3 %) 1632 - 1658 (Probability 39,6 %)
2 Sigma cal AD 1518 - 1596 (Probability 47,7 %)
(Probability 95,4 %) 1620 - 1666 (Probability 46,7 %)
1783 - 1790 (Probability 1,0 %)
800
600
Radiocarbon age [years BP]
400
200
The radiocarbon shows
that the wood support
0 dates from a period
included between the
sixteen and the seventeen
century…
-200
1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000
Age Calendaire [years AD]
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17. Crossing X-R/ Analysis
Page 17 / 17
In summary…
The authentication research means the complementarity
of the analysis methods:
Constitutive material of the object’s analysis
Visualization of its internal structure
CIRAM proposes a wide range of analysis
permetting to bring the necessary informations
for a rigourous research authentification.
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