A non-destructive spectroscopic study of the decoration of archaeological pottery: from matt-painted bichrome ceramic sherds (southern Italy, VIII-VII B.C.) to an intact Etruscan cinerary urn

Abstract

A study is presented based on the use of entirely non-destructive spectroscopic techniques to analyze the chemical composition of the painted surface layer of archaeological pottery. This study aims to define both the raw materials and the working technology of ancient potters. Energy-dispersive Xray analysis, micro-Raman spectroscopy, visible and near infrared (NIR) diffuse reflection spectroscopy and external reflection Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were applied to matt-painted bichrome pottery sherds (VIII-VII century B.C.) from the site of Incoronata near Metaponto in southern Italy. Two different raw materials, ochre and iron-rich clay, were recognized for the red decoration, while the dark areas resulted to have been obtained by the so-called manganese black technique. In any case, it was demonstrated that the decoration was applied before firing, in spite of its sometimes grainy aspect that could suggest a post-firing application. For the samples with a more sophisticated decorative pattern a red/black/white polychromy was recognized, as the lighter areas correspond to an "intentional white" obtained by the firing of a calcium-rich clay. Reflection spectroscopy in the visible-NIR and mid-IR as well as micro-Raman spectroscopy were then employed to characterize the decoration of an intact ceramic urn from the Etruscan town of Chiusi, evidencing a post-firing painting based on the use of red ochre, carbon black and lime, possibly imitating the "fresco" technique used in wall paintings.

The Combined Use of SEM-EDX, Raman, ATR-FTIR and Visible Reflectance Techniques for the Characterisation of Roman Wall Painting Fragments From Monte D’Oro Area (Rome): An Insight onto Red, Yellow and Pink Shades.

“…In authors opinion a starting screening performed on all the fragments by SEM-EDX is generally a useful tool in order to have both a general idea on average morphological and elemental aspects about the samples and a sort of hint for the further instrumental analyses. In fact, it is well known that the presence of speci c elements in many cases is enough for the identi cation of pigments and other possible components on the sample surface (Bruni et al 2018; Comite et al…”

Degradation Products on Byzantine Glasses from Northern Tunisia

“…Electron microscopy, in combination with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, has successfully contributed to the investigation of degradation phenomena on materials of art and archaeology [37][38][39].…”

Aplicação Do Método God E Estatística Multivariada No Estudo Da Vulnerabilidade De Aquífero À Contaminação Em Aracaju/Se

“…Os métodos não invasivos são recursos que permitem assegurar a integridade da obra ou do artefato a ser alvo de estudo, sem a necessidade de retirar amostras da peça (SAVIELLO et al 2016;BRUNI et al 2018). A portabilidade dos equipamentos leva a aplicações e uso destes em diferentes situações, no entanto ainda há necessidade de estudos…”

“…Particularmente a Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo possui um conjunto grande de obras com componentes poliméricos.De fato, a utilização da técnica FTIR em polímeros é apenas uma das possibilidades existentes, não se restringindo a plásticos, mas abrangendo outros materiais que podem ser identificados e caracterizados com esta técnica (TOMASINI, SIRACUSANO E MAIER, 2012;. VAHUR, KNUUTINEN E LEITO, 2009;BRUNI et al, 2018).…”