The Glory of Ancient Weapons and Armors: Neutron Imaging and Diffraction Methods in Modern Archaeology

Neutron-imaging techniques are emerging as an innovative and attractive investigative approach to characterise ancient artefacts without the need for sampling or invasive procedures. In this chapter, a selection of case studies developed in collaboration with several Research Groups and Museum Institutions will show case the potential of neutron imaging technique to investigate a particular class of Heritage materials: metals. Despite neutron technique can be widely applied to different artefacts, i.e. pottery, sculpture, paintings, we decided to focus on this class since the application of neutron imaging technique have disclosed a unique insight into the investigation of their composition and microstructure. Until recently, this task was mainly fulfilled basing on standard analytical techniques like, for example, metallography. Traditional analysis, however, though very accurate, is not always suitable for rare and unique objects of high scientific and economic value.