New improvements are reviewed in design and use of high energy on beams for examination of fragile and unique materials encountered in art and archaeology. Laboratories worldwide involved in archaeological research are tabulated. Most investigations are performed with particle-induced x-ray emission (PIXE) alone or in combination with atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe x-ray microanalysis (EPMA), neutron activation analysis (NAA), FNAA, CPAA, particle induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE), and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). Lack of homogeneity in artifacts is probably the greatest difficulty encountered. Irradiation in a vacuum may cause damage, e.g., halos of discoloration on paint layers, glass, ceramics, and bronzes, changes in brightness and tensile strength of papers, and possible damage due to increased temperature upon irradation. Applications of microprobe analyses published mainly in the last three years are reviewed test objects include paper, parchments, bones, paintings, ceramics, glasses, and metals. Milliprobes (1-2 mum diam.) are often sufficient for multielemental analyses of potsherds, glasses, and uncorroded metals when comparisons are to be made with basic materials presumably used in their manufacture. Miniprobes (a few 100s mum diam.) are more generally used for papers, documents and their inks, and colored illustrations. Microprobes (10 mum and less diam.) are useful for identifying inclusions in metals and glasses and for understanding workmanship of goldsmiths.