Ancient surfaces in thought and reality

This article discusses the issue of surfaces, as seen under the different standpoints of archaeometric surface science studies and ancient philosophy. Previous XPS and scanning Auger microscopy (SAM) archaeometric studies which were conducted to analyse the microchemical composition of ancient metals are reviewed and shown that a careful consultation of relevant ancient sources can greatly assist in achieving both a correct interpretation of the experimental results and an assessment of their archaeological import. Then other ancient sources in which surfaces are the subject of speculation in Greek philosophy, focusing particularly on the views of surfaces enterained by Plato, Aristotle and the Stoic philosopher Posidonius are reviewed. It is concluded by arguing that under both the scientific–archaeometric and the philosophical standpoints, surfaces should be considered an important aspect of our cultural heritage.