A Multi‐Analytical Approach for the Compositional Characterization and Chronological Discrimination of Benin (Nigeria) Metal Sculptures

Bibliographic Data

ID8354513
AuthorsI Torraba (Universitat de Barcelona), Diego A Ahumada-Forigua (0000-0001-7591-1288, Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry Universitat de Barcelona Barcelona Spain), D A Ahumada (Universitat de Barcelona), H Bagán (0000-0002-2343-9759, Universitat de Barcelona), A Tarancón (0000-0003-2772-3762, Universitat de Barcelona), Stefan Eisenhofer (Five Continents Museum), J F García (Universitat de Barcelona, corresponding author)
Year2026
Publication date2026-03-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArchaeometry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-813X • E-ISSN: 1475-4754
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/arcm.70127
OpenAlexW7138979075
LanguageEN
References cited29

This study presents a multi‐analytical archaeometric approach for the compositional characterization and chronological discrimination of Benin metal sculptures in relation to the 1897 Punitive Expedition. The methodology integrates elemental composition (XRF and ICP), stable lead isotope ratios (MC‐ICP‐MS) for alloy system characterization, and residual 210 Pb activity measurements (LSC) in a sequential three‐stage protocol. Applied to 11 sculptures from a German museum, the results demonstrate progressive refinement in distinguishing pre‐ and post‐1897 productions. The approach provides a robust and reproducible basis for authenticity assessment and production chronology within provenance and restitution research

Characterization (materials science) · Chronology · German · Provenance · Punitive damages · Sculpture · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies · Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis