Pigments, ancient, analyses

As shown in the previous sections, identifying a small amount of a protein (in the order of tens of picomoles) represents a difficult problem for traditional methods of chemical analysis. The situation is even more complicated when a protein mixture of variable composition should be identified in a complex matrix containing dyes, oils, inorganic pigments, lime, etc. moreover, the analysed materials come often from the Middle Ages or even ancient times and the proteins in them could have undergone various modifications (e.g. oxidation, photodecomposition and microbial digestion) over the centuries. 

Fig. 2.45 Non-destructive analysis with MIMOS of ancient rock painting in Brazil (near Belo Horizonte). Two Mossbauer backscattering spectra were recorded, one of a darker paint, the other for a light-colored paint. Different iron oxide pigments are responsible for the different colors [80]...

David etal (2001) David, R.A. Edwards, H.GM. FarweR, D.W. de Faria, D.L.A. Raman spectroscopic analysis of ancient Egyptian pigments Archaeometry 43 4 (2001) 461-473 Davidson (1880) Davidson, E.A. A Practical Manual of House-Painting, Graining, Marbling and Sign-Writing 3rd ed. Crosby Lockwood Co., London (1880)... 

Zhou et al. (1997) Zhou, G. Zhang, I Cheng, H. Pigment analysis of polychrome statuary and wall paintings of the Tiantishan Grottoes Conservation of ancient sites on the Silk... 

Another major application of the technique is in the analysis of ancient paints used in a particular period of history or a particular place. This is essential not only for the study of the pigments and materials used by different civilisations, but also for authenticating works of art, restoration work and in lawsuits involving damaged works of art. 

It is important to indicate that between natural inorganic pigments, hematite a- Fc203 red is included. In ancient times the chemical analysis of caves paintings indicates that hematite among the iron oxides, was used as pigment. This explains the use of these and other minerals to create cave paintings, decoration of ceramic objects for the preservation of the history of human existence. [2, 14]... 

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