Rrganic materials play an essential role in understanding ancient objects, whether it's a question of identifying component (binders, varnishes, waxes) or organic residues absorbed into archaeological objects.
CIRAM combines different techniques depending on the type of material and the objective of the analysis:
Analyses are carried out on micro-samples (a few milligrams), with great precision.
Contact our teamsThe analysis of organic residues on artifacts (ceramics, tools, ritual objects) allows for the reconstruction of ancient practices: diet, body treatment, rituals, and craftsmanship. By identifying compounds such as fatty acids, resins, waxes, or proteins, archaeologists gain access to valuable functional information about past civilizations.
The binders, varnishes, and waxes used in artworks are chemical markers revealing an era, a workshop, or a restoration. CIRAM identifies these materials and compares them to internal and scientific databases to detect inconsistencies or modern restorations.
Microanalysis consists of studying the chemical and mineralogical composition of materials at the microscopic scale. It allows for the identification of the constituent elements of stones, glasses, ceramics, pigments, and mineral deposits, and for understanding their origin, transformation, and alteration.
At CIRAM, this approach relies on high-resolution analytical instruments such as:
CIRAM uses microanalysis in projects involving authentication, conservation-restoration, archaeometry and the industrial traceability of materials.
Contact our teamsThanks to the chemical signature of a material, it is possible to trace its geological origin or reconstruct the manufacturing processes used. This data is essential for:
Archaeological objects often present mineral deposits (crusts, efflorescences, patinas), the nature of which provides information about their conservation environment. CIRAM analyzes these layers to:
The Metallography enables in-depth study of the composition, structure and manufacturing processes of ancient metal objects. It is essential for identifying alloys, detecting modern elements, analyzing patinas and understanding alterations.
At CIRAM, this analysis relies on complementary techniques:
This approach allows to authenticate an object, to characterize its manufacturing, and to guide conservation or expertise actions, by cross-referencing chemical and historical data.
Contact our teamsFor copper alloys (bronze, brass) or silver objects, metallography can detect exogenous elements often indicative of modern manufacturing, such as aluminum, chromium, or manganese. These markers, absent in ancient alloys, frequently betray recent production or an attempt at counterfeiting.
The analysis of the patina, whether natural (formed over the long term by atmospheric corrosion) or artificial (created by chemical processes), reveals valuable chronological clues for dating an ancient work.
Finally, the study of the metal's microstructure can reveal the shaping techniques: casting, hammering, annealing, or welding.
Iron objects present particular challenges due to their high sensitivity to corrosion. Metallography therefore focuses on the analysis of non-metallic inclusions and internal impurities, which are indicative of ancient forging processes. The absence of certain treatments or the presence of characteristic inclusions makes it possible to distinguish between ancient artisanal production and a modern object.
For gold, a metal little subject to oxidation, characterization relies on the detection of trace elements (lead, bismuth, tin, etc.), whose concentrations can betray a chronological or geographical origin. This data is decisive in the attribution, appraisal, or certification of works in precious metals.
Read moreFor over two decades, CIRAM has established itself as a key player in the scientific analysis of ancient materials, both in the art market and in the sectors of archaeology and industry. Its expertise is based on a unique combination of scientific rigor, state-of-the-art analytical equipment, and a multidisciplinary team of PhDs in physics, chemistry, geosciences, and materials.
Each analysis project benefits from a tailor-made protocol, designed to meet the client's specific challenges: study of the conservation of a work of art, indirect dating, corrosion study, or validation of an industrial process.
Recognized by museum institutions, auction houses, excavation operators, and industrialists, the CIRAM approach guarantees analytical reliability and clarity of results that are now a benchmark in Europe and internationally.
The characterization of materials involves analyzing their chemical composition, structure and state of preservation in order to determine their origin, manufacture and age.
Our laboratories study a wide variety of materials, including ceramics, stone, glass, metals, wood, ivory, paper and antique textiles.
It allows us to identify the origin of materials, analyze manufacturing techniques and establish chronologies, thus providing a better understanding of the artifacts.
We use scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX), Raman spectrometry and X-ray diffraction.
Analysis times vary according to the nature of the object and the techniques used. On average, an analysis can take from a few days to several weeks. A precise timetable is provided at the time of acceptance.
The CIRAM has dated two fossil woods whose exceptional preservation is explained in particular by their burial in a humid, oxygen-poor environment.
An essential dating method, carbon-14 or radiocarbon is used to date archaeological artifacts, authenticate works of art, or measure the content biobased.
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