A Micro-Analytical Study of Nigerian Aluminium Repousses and its Implications for Preservation

Abstract

Metals are used extensively in the production of artefacts in some Nigerian cultures. Overtime, studies of such artefacts have centred largely on their iconography, production materials as well as production techniques. However, this study focused on the elemental composition of the metals employed in the production of aluminium repousses in Nigeria in contemporary times. To achieve this, three Ion Beam Accelerator (IBA)-based techniques of Particle-Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE) Spectroscopy, Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) and Proton Induced Gamma-Ray Emission Spectroscopy (PIGE) were used simultaneously. The aim was to determine the elemental make up of the two repousses that formed the samples in the study. The result of the investigation revealed that aluminium was significant in both items, with other elements detected and measured with very low values and some others as traces. Aside providing diagnostic markers for the artefacts, the elemental study of the items is also important in determining the protocol for their preservation as well as clues in case of material defects or deterioration.