Archaeological

Edwards’ Analytical can now provide a service for the identification of archaeological materials and historical objects with emphasis on materials of organic origin and polymeric/ synthetic materials, and the identification of materials using non-invasive techniques.

We are a registered consultancy with both the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Materials, and have been a UKAS accredited laboratory since 1994. Since September 2001, UKAS have also accredited us to ISO 17025.

Because of the complexity of materials, Edwards Analytical has a modern FT-IR spectrophotometer with a microscope attachment. This allows the measurement and identification of the individual layers of multilayered materials such as frescoes and paintings and microscopic particles and for forensic applications.

Using our Near Infra Red spectrophotometer we can identify materials at a client’s premises without any sample or specimen preparation. A spectral library of bones and ivories, ambers and historical plastics and latexes has been developed.

We are also able to carry out long term research programs especially modelling of degradation and artefact / environment interactions.

Current Services

Physical testing by

  • Classical (wet chemistry) techniques of analysis and assay.
  • Chromatography, gas & liquid - used for residue extractions
  • Infra red spectroscopy -  identification of materials
  • Soil Analysis, including -
    • pH
    • Nitrate
    • Phosphate
    • Organic Content
    • Particle Size
    • Heavy Metals
    • Moisture Content
  • Environmental Analysis
    • Pollen analysis
    • Microbiology
  • Hardness, tensile and compression strengths and rigidity of materials
  • Coefficient of expansion and softening points by thermo mechanical analysis
  • Rates of thermal decomposition

Analysis and Identification of materials by

  • Infra red spectroscopy and, Infra red spectroscopy / microscopy.
    • Used for environmental markers, e.g. Hair
    • Organic binders, e.g. Paint and pigments
    • Plastic / material identification
  • •    Near Infra red Spectroscopy.
    • As above plus identification of Amber and Plastics.
  • UV/visible spectroscopy including colour measurement.
  • Differential scanning calorimetry for the chareractisation of materials
  • Thermo mechanical gravimetric analysis.
  • Thermal gravimetric analysis for analysis of organic matter, mineral matter and moisture content.
  • Optical microscopy
  • Gas Chromatography and HPLC for the analysis of organic matter, for example, residues in pottery.

Material Interactions by

  • Xenon Light Tester
  • Degradation studies on materials. e.g. The stability of adhesives in modern conservation techniques.
  • Change of properties of materials in contact with their environment, e.g. decay of papers, plastics, textiles and bones.
  • Materials in contact. e.g. Residues of container contents.