The paper discusses analytical techniques and features of antiquities in which the surface and interior may present contrasting compositions. Experience with the application of various analytical methods (x-ray fluorescence (EXF), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to antiquities at the British Museum Research Laboratory has been used to describe the type of information (surface/interior) yielded by these methods. Parallels are drawn with in-beam analysis. The paper is one of a number given at a workshop on in-beam analysis and this issue of the journal (p1-167) contains papers given at the workshop. -- AATA