Work

Effect of heating and neutron irradiation on the FTIR dating

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: • FTIR dating reviewed. • Effects of neutron irradiation on the FTIR dating. • Effect of heating on the FTIR dating. • FTIR dating of the Shroud of Turin reevaluated. • Proposed nondestructive test of the neutron irradiation hypothesis of the Shroud. In this work, we provide an analysis of the Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectra of several modern linen samples that had been irradiated with neutrons. A nondestructive dating method based on this FTIR spectroscopy was developed for archaeological linen textiles. Its uncertainty is considerably greater than the usual radiocarbon dating (C14). However, rare effects such as neutron irradiation could modify the C14 dating and make it not applicable. FTIR, although it is not a competitive dating method, could exclude or confirm those uncommon events and therefore the applicability of the C14 dating. To explore this utility, we analyze whether the FTIR dating method would still be applicable in a neutron irradiation event. On the other hand, the effects of heating on the FTIR dating must also be analyzed. Among other cases, this study could apply to the case of the Shroud of Turin. Furthermore, we propose a nondestructive FTIR test to elucidate whether or not this purported relic received a neutron irradiation.

Source: Microchemical Journal

DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2024.112502

Authors: César Barta, Elisa María Ruiz-Navas, José Luis Pérez-Díaz, Robert A. Rucker, Thomas McAvoy

Institutions: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Universidad de Alcalá, University of Michigan, University of Maryland, College Park

Language: English

Topic: Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,720

Funder: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid