The elemental analysis of ancient copper-based artefacts by inductively-coupled-plasma atomic-emission spectrometry: an optimized methodology reveals some secrets of the Vix crater

The elemental composition determination of ancient copper-based artefacts is an important tool to address archaeometallurgical issues, such as the assessment of technological skills and metal circulation in a definite chrono-cultural context. The rise of a new generation of inductively-coupled-plasma atomic-emission spectrometry has led us to reconsider the whole analytical protocol, resulting in significant improvements of the performance: an increased number of elements determined, lower limits of detection and a better reliability were achieved together with a diminishing of sample quantity and time of analysis. The archaeometallurgical studies take full benefit of these improvements, as exemplified by the major results regarding technological practices in antiquity brought to light by the study of a Greek bronze masterpiece, the Vix crater.