Jeff:

The pXRF accessary metal signature values of a bronze artifact (i.e. Sn vs
As bronze, and Co, Ni, Zn, Sb, Bi and Ag values) can give you an area to
look for in the geological, metallurgical and archaeochemical literature for
comparative objects of similar composition and, possibly, cultural
affiliation and date range.

I hope this helps.  Please feel free to give Dr. Claudia Brackett or myself
a call at WRI's Sonora office number: (209) 532-3873 if you have any
questions.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Lundin BA, MA, RPA, ISAP, AIPG
Consulting Historical Archaeologist, Geologist and Remote Sensing Specialist
Director, Wondjina Research Institute



On Wed, Sep 21, 2011 at 3:58 PM, Jeffrey Delsescaux <[log in to unmask]
> wrote:

>        Please pardon my ignorance on this subject, but I am currently
> trying to obtain information on non-invasive tests that can be conducted on
> bronze artifacts that date from the historical period.  The goal being to
> discover the artifact's place of origin and perhaps even age.  So far I have
> thought of handheld pXRF units, but I am unsure what can be learned from a
> bronze artifact's chemical composition.  Any thoughts on other non-invasive
> tests and/or suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thank you!
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Jeffrey Delsescaux
>
> Graduate Student | Department of Anthropology
> California State University, Los Angeles
>
> [log in to unmask]
> 818.390.3007
>