Doctoral Studentship Between the School of Archaeology, University of Oxford, and the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Coinage, and to some extent money, as we know it today traces its roots back to the first coins produced in the ancient Greek world. These are known as early electrum coinages with the very earliest of these being produced by the Kingdom of Lydia in western Turkey in the 7^th century BC. Existing analyses of these objects indicate that they are probably quite heterogeneous, either due to a ‘naturally’ inconsistent alloy, poor mixing, or deliberate chemical alterations to the surfaces of the coins. The techniques available at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source will allow for non-destructive elemental analysis to be performed on the ‘bulk’ of the coins, as well as in discrete ‘slices’ deep beneath the surface. This will allow for the investigation of the manufacturing techniques used to make early electrum coinage. 

This project will primarily investigate the manufacturing techniques used to make early electrum coinage, focusing on the coins held in the Ashmolean Museum. The student will first familiarise themselves with the collection, assisting the curators with digitising the catalogue and making it publicly available. In the museum the student will perform portable XRF analyses on the coins. This will provide a baseline against which ISIS’ techniques can be compared. 

The major activities of the studentship will consist of the application and interpretation of ISIS’ elemental analysis and imaging capabilities. The student will first use muonic X-ray emission spectroscopy (μXES) to depth profile the major element composition of the coins, allowing for the true heterogeneity of early electrum to be revealed. The student will then take advantage of the neutron imaging and elemental analysis capabilities at ISIS. Imaging will allow for a proper investigation of the surface and near surface structure of the electrum, and neutron-based elemental analysis techniques will provide comparative major element data and bulk trace element analysis. 

It is envisaged that the student will begin with a focus on the earliest Greek electrum produced in Lydia, but will then have the freedom to choose the material for the next phases of analysis depending on their numismatic and archaeological interest. 

For further information, follow the above link to Apply.

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