The use of small-angle x-ray diffraction studies for the analysis of structural features in archaeological samples

X-ray diffraction or scattering analysis provides a powerful non-destructiv e technique capable of providing important information about the state of a rchaeological samples in the nanometer length scale. Small-angle diffractio n facilities are usually found at synchrotron sources, although the potenti al of a laboratory source is also described. Specific examples of analysis using X-ray diffraction of historic parchment, archaeological bone, a Centr al Mexico style pictograph and microdiffraction of calcified tissues are us ed to show the scope and versatility of the technique. Diffraction data is capable of giving fundamental structural information as well as quantifying the remodelling of structures influenced by environmental fact ors.