Recent progress in analysis and structural characterisation of materials
has an impact on the study of archaeological specimens. In particular,
detailed structural information obtained from Synchrotron sources, combined
with archaeological data and ancient texts, reveals new facts about ancient
techniques, habits and society phenomena. The first Workshop of this new
School will bring together archaeologists and historians with physicists,
chemists, crystallographers, biologists, pharmacists, around the theme
of Cosmetic and Therapeutic substances.
Ancient objects may also undergo their own material history at the
atomic and molecular level: we have then to take into account a "Fourth
Dimension in Chemistry" measured in centuries and millennia, in order
to understand the real meaning of the material as found today.
The Workshop aims at reconstructing the scenario of synthesis and transformation in the long run of molecular and crystalline compounds used in Antiquity for health and beauty. Furthermore, the Workshop shall contribute in delineating a contour of Molecular and Structural Archaeology as an emerging interdisciplinary field based on structural analysis at the atomic, molecular or supramolecular level.
ORGANISING COMMITTEE:
Professor RJH CLARK, University College, London, UK
Professor G. FALSONE, Univ. of Palermo, Italy
Dr Philippe WALTER , C2RMF, Paris, France
APPLICATIONS
E-mail to:
Georges.Tsoucaris@cep.u-psud.fr
TOPICS
Recent Progress in Crystallography 
Direct Methods in Crystal structure determination
New progress in X-ray powder analysis
Analytical Chemistry Recent Progress in Raman microscopy
Mössbauer Spectroscopy
Long term Conservation of materials Supramolecular materials
Non destructive explorations
Synthetic materials in Antiquity
Cosmetic-Therapeutic Chemicals in Egypt
Interpretation problems in Ancient texts
Materials degradation
Mumification process
TENTATIVE PLAN IN FOUR SESSIONS:
Session 1 : Fri 24 :
Reconstruction of the scenario for Synthesis and Transformation of
Compounds used in Antiquity for Health and Beauty
Session 2 : Fri 24 and Sat. 25 :
Analytical Chemistry and Synchrotron Radiation
Poster Session on Sat 25 lunch time
Session 3 : Sat. 25 :
Long term Transformation of Archaeological Materials
Session 4 : Sun 26 :
Delineating the contour of molecular and structural archaeology as
an
emerging interdisciplinary field based on structural analysis at the
molecular level.