Micro-PIXE analysis of metal archaeological pieces from Torre Monreal necropolis

In 2019, the Torre Monreal necropolis was discovered in the urban centre of Tudela, in the north of Spain (Navarra). This Islamic necropolis has a great amount of graves with rich funeral's dowries, therefore it is of a high archaeological and historical interest. In this work, in order to determine the elemental concentration of different objects, mainly metallic pieces such as rings, earrings, necklaces, belt buckles, etc., have been analysed by Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) using the external microbeam line at CMAM (Centro de Microanálisis de Materiales in Madrid). Most of the metallic objects with a gilded look exhibit Au concentrations higher than 50 %, Ag and Hg levels close to 20 %, and low or trace concentrations of other elements such as Cu or Fe. The elemental concentration of these pieces has been compared with data from other Islamic piece from the Andalusian city, Qalat-Rabah (Calatrava la Vieja) collection which correspond to the same historic medieval period, 13th – 15th century.