Pitfalls and Possibilities of Patinated Bronze: The Analysis of Pre-Roman Italian Armour Using pXRF

Despite the importance of weapons and armour as part material culture in Mediterranean during first millennium BCE, such objects have generally not been studied beyond stylistic analyses. Bronze was extensively used construction these materials; however, its characterisation is complicated due to patination different manufacturing techniques used. We portable XRF (pXRF) non-destructively characterise bronze a way that mitigates distorting effects patina. Analysis conducted on 23 pieces pre-Roman Italian armour. Assays were taken using two techniques; ‘single point’ assays ‘cluster’ assays. There variability visible across both between items, grouped geographically chronologically. highlight significant trends results over time object types discuss utility pXRF ancient with recommendations for best practice.