Technical and diagnostic investigation on some metallic objects coming from the Isiao Excavations at the site of Barikot (Swat, Pakistan)

Abstract

The authors introduce new studies on the metallurgic activity carried out in the archaeological site of Barikot (Swat, Pakistan). The collaboration between the IsIAO Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan and the Diagnostic Laboratory of the Department of Storie e Metodi per la Conservazione dei Beni Culturali of the Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna allowed the achievement of new useful data that are quite interesting even if the research is still at the beginning and needs further checks. In particular some samples show traces of niobium. This element is fairly rare but, in some cases, is present into the crystal net of cassiterite. In the samples, the traces of niobium are always correlated with the presence of tin in the alloy. If these data will be confirmed, it’s going to be possible to hypothesise that tin minerals used for the alloy of the object found at Barikot may come from mining sites characterized by the presence of niobium.