Roman coins at the edge of the Negev: characterisation of copper alloy artefacts and soil from Rakafot 54 (Beer Sheva, Israel)

The research presented in this paper focused on the preliminary non- and semi-destructive analysis of copper alloys, corrosion, soil components from a Roman archaeological site Israel. Investigations using portable X-ray fluorescence, diffraction scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy as well micromorphological analyses were carried out to gain better understanding corrosion processes affecting alloy artefacts, by characterising composition, environments, products. Preliminary results indicate that artefacts consist copper-lead-tin covered hydroxy-chlorides lead sulphate phases slight variations their crystallisation. multi-analytical approach revealed presence quartz, calcite, gypsum feldspars sediments, while thin sections more specifically loess soils local micro-environments