X-Ray Analysis in situ: The Importance of Adaptive Instrumentation

In the field of the material analysis of cultural heritage artefacts is necessary the use of non-invasive and nondestructive methods such as those based on X-Rays (es. X Rays Fluorescence and Radiography). Moreover, due to the fact of immobility artworks from the places where they are exhibited or conserved, therefore is essential the use of portable instrumentation in order to perform analysis in situ. Artworks can have different sizes, from some centimeters to several meters, and can be placed on the ground, on a pedestal or suspended several meters above the ground, this is why it is necessary the use of portable instrumentation easily adaptive to the case in question. At ICLA (Institute of Crystallography Archaeometric Laboratory) X-Rays instrumentation, is adapting and modifying in order to obtain the best solution to the case in question. Through this approach, we were able to study several artworks: from architectural elements (rosette of the cupola of SS. Luca and Martina church in Rome), to modern canvases (by Capogrossi, Guttuso), from Latin bronze artifacts (in Archaelogical Museum of Ager Faliscus - Sangallo Fortress Civita Castellana, Vt) to soil blocks from Crustumerium (east of Rome). Moreover, we perform analysis for forensic investigations, for example required by Comando Carabinieri Tutela patrimonio Culturale (CC TPC) and by court experts. Moreover, from 2014 until now, during the annual excavations in the archaeological area of Roman Crustumerium and with the cooperation of Soprintendenza Speciale Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio di Roma we have been successfully able to set up an X-Rays laboratory in the farm building State property to support the restorer's work