That would probably be my choice: Gold walls and Gold-plated armor when you have to go from place to place. A castle with gold-composite walls would be super cool, although it would have to be mixed with other metals to be structurally sound. The first photograph was around 1826.Īrmor made from or coated in lead would help, but only against some forms of radiation (Alpha and Beta particles), but not against others (Gamma rays) You would have to be careful that the radioactive substance does not release gamma rays, or else have it sealed in a vault with several inches of lead surrounding it or base your civilization in a castle-like structure with lead or other heavy metal walls. People are pretty smart, If in your era, people are starting to mess around with photography, then they could discover x-rays, or other forms of radiation. Beta particles are also blocked very easily. Alpha emitters are pretty harmless, unless ingested. Water for example is pretty good at slowing down neutrons, and can be a form of shielding for gamma rays too, although it is not as dense as lead.īut there are also different types of radiation, alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays and neutrons, and the type of shielding would depend on the radiation type. This is true for gamma rays and neutrons.
Lead being very dense would reduce the radiation by a 10th or a half with thinner layer than a less dense material. In terms of protection, different materials have different 10th thicknesses, or half layer values. These are called thermoluminescence, and the amount of light is proportional to the amount of radiation. When heated the electrons de-excite emitting a photon. Similarly there are crystals where the radiation excites an electron, and the electron is trapped, until the crystal is heated. So perhaps depending on how far you want to stretch the science that could serve as a warning. Radiation can also discolor glass, the color depending on the impurities in the glass. The wikipedia page shows these can be quite compact and sensitive. This is the principle behind the electrostatic dosimeter.
The mobile negative charges neutralize some of the charge on the gold leaves and this results in the leaves coming closer together. The gold leaves of the jar separate when charged up, (like charges repel) and when radiation enters the air in the jar, it ionizes it, creating both positive and negative charges.
The Leyden jar was invented around 1745 and is an example the early investigations of electricity so that fits in with your time period. Knowing where the radiation is a big part of the problem.