Hebrew Bible were prepared by applying mixtures of various colors delivering
valuable information on preparation rules of Hebrew codices that are believed to be
very inflexible. In conclusion, the reported study delivered priceless information on
the type of religious Hebrew manuscript extremely rarely investigated.
16.2.1.2 The Provenance Investigation of the Archeological Amber
Due to the ability to perform in situ measurements without any preparation of the
sample, the Raman spectroscopy is recognized as an effective technique used in the
provenance investigation of the amber. It is quite common that the weathered layer
is present on the surface of archeological amber objects causing strong fluorescence
obscuring Raman spectra. Unfortunately, in many cases this outer layer cannot be
removed without the damage to the object; hence, the implementation of supplementary techniques is necessary in order to determine the provenance of such
artifacts. The applicability of the positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) in the
analysis of the raw material was proved during investigations of the amber objects
discovered in the archaeological excavations [127]. Moreover, other spectroscopic
methods like transmission infrared spectroscopy and ATR can be used for the
identification of amber [128, 129]; however, these techniques require preparation of
samples.
The successful investigation cannot be completed without the access to the
adequate database. The Cultural Heritage Research Laboratory at the Wrocław
University developed Raman spectra database of amber and copal which was
successfully applied in the provenance studies of archaeological amber objects
discovered in Poland [127]. The spectral database was created using reference
samples of succinite, fossil resins, subfossil resins, and imitations from a very
comprehensive collection of The Museum of the Earth’s Amber Department,
Warsaw. The database is systematically expanded. Recently, it was extended to
incorporate also spectra for amber and copal collected with other techniques: ATR,
PAS, near infrared (NIR), and SEM-EDS [129].
The applicability of this comprehensive scientific database was verified during
provenance investigation of the archeological amber objects from the collection of
amber deposits discovered in 1906 [130, 131] and 1936, nearby the horse racing
track in Wroclaw Partynice [132]. The total weight of the raw material accumulated
in pits amounted from 1240 to 1760 kg, according to various estimates [133],
which so far is the biggest find of this type in the world. Unfortunately, a large part
of the amber collection was sold by the conservatory service or destroyed during the
WWII. Until today, at the Museum of Archaeology in Wroclaw only its small
remainder weighing 4.5 kg has retained and is exposed at its permanent exhibition.
Many archaeological studies conducted on the site of the find have shown the
relationship of the findings with an extensive settlement of the Przeworsk and
perhaps the La Tène cultures (1st BC). The analysis of the findings indicates that
they had character of storage pits, not ‘treasures’ as they were often described. The
discovered pieces of raw material and semifinished products of amber in the
16 Spectroscopy in the Analysis of Artworks
497
valuable information on preparation rules of Hebrew codices that are believed to be
very inflexible. In conclusion, the reported study delivered priceless information on
the type of religious Hebrew manuscript extremely rarely investigated.
16.2.1.2 The Provenance Investigation of the Archeological Amber
Due to the ability to perform in situ measurements without any preparation of the
sample, the Raman spectroscopy is recognized as an effective technique used in the
provenance investigation of the amber. It is quite common that the weathered layer
is present on the surface of archeological amber objects causing strong fluorescence
obscuring Raman spectra. Unfortunately, in many cases this outer layer cannot be
removed without the damage to the object; hence, the implementation of supplementary techniques is necessary in order to determine the provenance of such
artifacts. The applicability of the positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) in the
analysis of the raw material was proved during investigations of the amber objects
discovered in the archaeological excavations [127]. Moreover, other spectroscopic
methods like transmission infrared spectroscopy and ATR can be used for the
identification of amber [128, 129]; however, these techniques require preparation of
samples.
The successful investigation cannot be completed without the access to the
adequate database. The Cultural Heritage Research Laboratory at the Wrocław
University developed Raman spectra database of amber and copal which was
successfully applied in the provenance studies of archaeological amber objects
discovered in Poland [127]. The spectral database was created using reference
samples of succinite, fossil resins, subfossil resins, and imitations from a very
comprehensive collection of The Museum of the Earth’s Amber Department,
Warsaw. The database is systematically expanded. Recently, it was extended to
incorporate also spectra for amber and copal collected with other techniques: ATR,
PAS, near infrared (NIR), and SEM-EDS [129].
The applicability of this comprehensive scientific database was verified during
provenance investigation of the archeological amber objects from the collection of
amber deposits discovered in 1906 [130, 131] and 1936, nearby the horse racing
track in Wroclaw Partynice [132]. The total weight of the raw material accumulated
in pits amounted from 1240 to 1760 kg, according to various estimates [133],
which so far is the biggest find of this type in the world. Unfortunately, a large part
of the amber collection was sold by the conservatory service or destroyed during the
WWII. Until today, at the Museum of Archaeology in Wroclaw only its small
remainder weighing 4.5 kg has retained and is exposed at its permanent exhibition.
Many archaeological studies conducted on the site of the find have shown the
relationship of the findings with an extensive settlement of the Przeworsk and
perhaps the La Tène cultures (1st BC). The analysis of the findings indicates that
they had character of storage pits, not ‘treasures’ as they were often described. The
discovered pieces of raw material and semifinished products of amber in the
16 Spectroscopy in the Analysis of Artworks
497