Scanning Auger microscopy studies of an ancient bronze

The surface and interface microchemistry of a sheet bronze belt from Urartian kingdom in NE Syria of early first millennium B.C. was studied by scanning Auger microscopy (SAM). Carbonaceous species, Ca-silicates and N-bearing species were detected in the patina while no copper species were found. Second phase of bronze, found as textured grain, originated by imperfect alloying of Cu-rich and Sn-rich domains was observed on metallic side lying beneath the patina. The chemistry of grain boundaries was also studied. Sn and Zn species were found just outside the boundary channel and S species were found inside the grain boundaries.