A non-destructive view with X-rays into the strain state of bronze axes.

In this paper we present a new approach using highly surface sensitive X-ray diffraction methods for archaeometrical investigation highlighted on the Neolithic Axe of Ahneby. Applying the sin2Ψ-method with a scintillation detector and a MAXIM camera setup, both usually applied for material strain analysis on modern metal fabrics. We can distinguish between different production states of bronze axes: Cast, forged and tempered. The method can be applied as a local probe of some 100th of μm2 or integrative on a square centimeter surface area. We applied established synchrotron radiation based methods of material strain mapping and diffraction on a Neolithic bronze axe as well as replicated material for noninvasive analysis. The main goal of the described investigations was to identify the effects upon the bronze objects of post cast surface treatment with stone tools and of heat treatment