Studies of two-part medieval Russia reliquary crosses by nuclear physics methods

A set of nuclear physics methods was employed to examine Medieval Russiabronze two-part reliquaries recently discovered at unfortified settlements of SuzdalOpolye. Before the reliquaries were restored and opened by methods of synchrotronX-ray and neutron tomography, visual diagnostics of the hidden hollows had beencarried out and technological features of the items in question had been identified,including the decoration which is practically gone due to corrosion and a repair throughfront anchor pin hidden by oxides; an intact relic inside the reliquary was found as well.The neutron and radiation analysis and neutron diffraction provided an opportunity toobtain data on the composition, metal alloys and the relic held in one of the reliquaries.Such data obtained through non-destructive methods help researchers describe religiouspractices of Medieval Russia Christians from a new angle and identify traces leftby medieval craftsmen, protecting cultural heritage artifacts to the maximum extentpossible.