Australian scientists and historians win international archaeology prize

Macquarie University researchers have been recognised at the 41st Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology Conference for developing an analytical technique which allows non-destructive, on-site, inexpensive analyses of ancient Greek silver coins. The technique uses X-ray fluorescence spectrometers that are small enough to be transportable to museum collections.

In a unique collaboration between historians and scientists, Dr Gil Davis, Associate Professor Kenneth Sheedy, Associate Professor Damian Gore and Dr Caroline Lehmann presented a poster on their research at the conference for which they were unanimously awarded the top prize. This is the first time an Australian presentation has won this award.

From analyses of just over 170 coins, the research team has already been able to highlight which metals are of diagnostic significance in ancient silver coins, though they say further work is required to understand the systematics of these metals in ancient Greek silver coins.

“The research allows non-destructive analyses of large numbers of coins in museum collections, which will help us understand the provenance of metals much more thoroughly than possible previously,” said Dr Davis.

“The work derives from an ARC-supported project: ‘A spring of silver, a treasury in the earth: coinage and wealth in Archaic Athens’. The prize reflects the fruitful collaboration between arts and science at the university.”