Technical and diagnostic investigation on some metallic objects coming from the Isiao Excavations at the site of Barikot (Swat, Pakistan)

none4noFrom “Quaderni di Scienza della Conservazione” to “Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage”: we are not changing, but learning from our past and evolving During its seven years of life, from 2000 to 2007, the Journal has given shape and meaning to an idea which stems from a metabolic process of creation and evolution. In the past this process suffered the consequences of a previous cultural heritage, but at the same time was captivated by it and as a result became completely absorbed by this complex, multi-faceted and fascinating world. This not only implies in-depth, historical-humanistic knowledge and creativity deriving from artistic involvment, but also the need to ensure and perfect the methodology and techniques applied to the study of cultural heritage. All this reflected the scientific intents and purposes established by the following Institutions where the Journal was born: Dipartimento di Storie e Metodi per la Conservazione dei Beni Culturali dell’Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna (Ravenna), Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca in Ingegneria dell’Automazione e dei Sistemi dell’Università di Palermo and Progetto Eureka-European Agency Cultural Heritage CNR, E.S. Sistemi, Inet. However, the ever-increasing number of praiseworthy, scientific contributions which have reached the Journal in recent years, have led us – also due to requests from foreign readers – to publish the Journal in English, starting with issue number 7. At the same time it has been made available on electronic and paper support. http://conservation-science.cib.unibo.it/The authors introduce new studies on the metallurgic activity carried out in the archaeological site of Barikot (Swat, Pakistan). The collaboration between the IsIAO Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan and the Diagnostic Laboratory of the Department of Storie e Metodi per la Conservazione dei Beni Culturali of the Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna allowed the achievement of new useful data that are quite interesting even if the research is still at the beginning and needs further checks. In particular some samples show traces of niobium. This element is fairly rare but, in some cases, is present into the crystal net of cassiterite. In the samples, the traces of niobium are always correlated with the presence of tin in the alloy. If these data will be confirmed, it’s going to be possible to hypothesise that tin minerals used for the alloy of the object found at Barikot may come from mining sites characterized by the presence of niobium.nonePierfrancesco Callieri; Salvatore Lorusso; Lucio Colliva; Chiara MatteucciPierfrancesco Callieri; Salvatore Lorusso; Lucio Colliva; Chiara Matteucc