Examination of metal belts from the urartian period using archaeometric methods for conservation and restoration

This study aims to examine the metal belts of the Urartian Period with archaeometric methods for their conservation and restoration. Within the scope of the thesis, 22 metal belts dating to the Urartian Kingdom (9th-6th centuries BC) were analyzed non-destructively using a portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF) device. In the light of the analysis results, the chemical compositions of the belts were determined and the obtained data were discussed within the framework of conservation-restoration planning. The belts within the scope of the study are original works registered in Diyarbakır Museum Directorate inventory and represent different regional and chronological variations of the Urartu Period. The elemental composition and surface condition of each belt were determined by on-site analysis, and clues about production techniques were obtained through visual and microscopic examinations. Analysis with the portable XRF device showed that the belts were manufactured from a copper-tin based bronze alloy. The basic alloy of most of the belts consists of copper (~80-90 wt.%) and tin (~5-15 wt.%). Iron is present in small or trace amounts in most samples, while lead (<5 wt.%) and trace amounts of zinc and arsenic have been detected in some samples. By the examination of the corrosion products observed on the belt surfaces, the deterioration levels of the artifacts were determined and recommendations were made regarding their preservation status. The results revealed that the majority of the Urartian metal belts included in the study were manufactured from high-quality bronze, but different approaches were adopted in raw material selection and alloy preparation. The diversity in elemental distribution indicated that the workshops may have used different ore sources and that there would have been innovations or changes in metallurgical techniques over time. As a matter of fact, traces of zinc detected on some belts suggested that Urartian masters experimented with different alloys for aesthetic purposes.