ABSTRACT This study explores the authentication of a bronze statue by means of the evaluation of technical evidence and investigation of patinas formation. The statue was identified by the police as a product of illicit excavation and handed to the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. The visual examination reveals technical features that are consistent with those commonly found on ancient bronze statues while the physicochemical character of the corrosion was in accordance with typical bronze corrosion mechanisms (decuprification). Original features like the metal microstructure were detected on the corrosion layers, showing the complexity and long lasting character of their formation. The metal composition was determined by XRF and the corrosion products were analysed by XRF and SEM-EDS. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

中文翻译：

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塞萨洛尼基考古博物馆的小铜像；探索其真实性

摘要本研究通过评估技术证据和调查铜绿形成来探索青铜雕像的鉴定。该雕像被警方确认为非法发掘的产物，并移交给塞萨洛尼基考古博物馆。目视检查揭示了与古代青铜雕像上常见的技术特征一致的技术特征，而腐蚀的物理化学特征与典型的青铜腐蚀机理（去粉化）一致。在腐蚀层上检测到诸如金属微结构之类的原始特征，显示出其形成的复杂性和持久性。通过XRF确定金属成分，并通过XRF和SEM-EDS分析腐蚀产物。图形概要