Radiation methods in research of ancient monuments

A "Laboratory of Quantitative Methods in Monument Research" is being built at the CTU Prague. Its primary orientation is the investigation of historic architecture, although other objects of art can also be investigated. In t he first phase, two radiation methods are being established, but it is set up in such a way, that various other methods can readily be added in its fu ture development. The radiation methods chosen for the initial development of the laboratory are: thermoluminescence dating and X-ray fluorescence ana lysis. The design of the automated TL-reader, built in our laboratories, is adjusted for the purpose of dating of historic brick architecture (which, of course, does not exclude applications for ceramics and other materials). The investigation of renaissance architecture in southern Bohemia and Mora via is under preparation as the first large campaign of this kind in the Cz ech Republic. Radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis has been chosen as t he basic analytical method in the laboratory. The possibility of analyses o f paintings and fired building materials (bricks, roof tiles) have been inv estigated. The first results in both the areas are very promising. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.