Cultural and natural heritage materials studies at SOLEIL synchrotron
Abstract
SOLEIL synchrotron is strongly involved in the field of cultural and natural heritage materials toward users or beamline scientists research projects but also thanks to the onsite collaboration of IPANEMA laboratory. I will present research projects realised at SOLEIL to reveal the secrets of ancient materials. The first line is linked to palaeontology. Advanced imaging techniques reveal unprecedented details to decipher fossilization processes. The second line aims to study ancient societies and elaboration techniques. Experiments rely on macro to micro mappings on large and sometimes non-flat pieces for archaeological (stone tools used to produce metal objects) and archaeometrical challenges (armour-making techniques). Finally, the third line often requires combination and correlation of different analysis to determine alteration processes and/or improve conservation treatments. Towards example of experiments done on complementary beamlines, this presentation will thus try to give an overview of the last 15 years of ancient materials studies at SOLEIL.