Heritage Science Group

Group Leader

Zsolt Kasztovszky

Tel: +(36-1)-392 2222 / 3143

E-mail: kasztovszky.zsolt@ek.hun-ren.hu

            kasztovszky.zsolt@bnc.hu

Scientists of the Heritage Science Group apply mostly non-destructive neutron-based techniques to reveal the composition, internal macroscopic, microscopic and atomic-scale structure of the artefacts. With the obtained analytical information, we contribute to studies on raw material composition, production technology and the condition of the artefacts, in collaboration with national and international teams of archaeologists and museologists.

The group has considerable experience in the research of provenance and manufacturing of stone tools, glass, metals and ceramics.

The following instruments and methods are available at the BNC for HS research:

  • For determination of elemental composition: Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA), Neutron Induced Prompt Gamma Spectroscopy (NIPS).
  • For imaging: Neutron Optics and Radiography for Material Analysis (NORMA), Neutron & X-ray Imaging (RAD)
  • For structural and phase analysis: Small Angle Neutron Scattering (YS-SANS), Time of Flight Small Angle Neutron Scattering (FSANS), Time of Flight Neutron Diffraction (TOF-ND).

In addition, other non-neutron-based, partly portable instruments are available:

  • Olympus Innov-X Delta Premium portable XRF spectrometer
  • Bruker Tracer 5g portable XRF spectrometer
  • i-Raman Plus 785H portable Raman spectrometer
  • Nikon Eclipse LV100 N polarised light optical microscope with Nikon DS-Fi3 microscope camera and NIS Elements BR software
  • Anton Paar Autosorb 6100 FKM porosimeter

Our Heritage Science Group is an access provider within the FIXLAB platform of the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS) https://www.e-rihs.eu/, expected to launch in the 2nd half of 2025.

Members of the BNC Heritage Science Group:

Should you have any question or idea to discuss, don’t hesitate to contact us: hsteam@bnc.hu