Laserinduced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in Archaeology: A brief overview of its applications and potential

Abstract

Over the past decades, Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) has emerged as a promising method for the elemental analysis of a broad range of archaeological objects, yielding excellent results either independently or in combination with other techniques. Despite its potential, the method is still not widely used in Germany. There are several advantages of LIBS: it requires no sample preparation, is close to non-invasive, produces results rapidly, and creates depth profiles. These features render it a highly suitable technique for characterizing and preserving archaeological samples and artworks. This article outlines the fundamental principles and design of LIBS systems and presents an overview of case studies from recent years, focusing on metal alloys, ceramics, glass, painted artworks, historic buildings, and biomaterials, that demonstrate the applicability and potential of LIBS in the field of archaeology.