ABSTRACT
Tremendous improvements have been made as regards the scope and efficiency of today’s analytical instruments. This has led to the development of new analytical methodologies that satisfy specific requirements to a greater degree such as microdestructiveness or non-destructiveness of the sample to be analysed (Ciliberto & Spoto 2000, Spoto 2007). A wider range of information is now available and a greater sensitivity and reproducibility of analyses is thus ensured. In this context, the use of spatially resolved analytical techniques have provided new opportunities for micro-destructive and, at times, completely non-destructive analyses thus opening up new diagnostic approaches for the study of samples of artistic and/or archaeological importance (Spoto et al. 2000). They have also amplified the range of analytical information obtainable from ancient and valuable objects (Spoto 2002).
