In the present work, a multi-analytical approach was used to analyze samples collected from the wall paintings of Qasr el-Ghuieta temple, Kharga Oasis, Egypt. The temple is dating back to the 27th dynasty (525-404 BC) and was completed during the Ptolemaic period. The samples were analyzed by optical microscopy (OM), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray analysis system (EDX), Raman microscopy and Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). The chromatic palette used in the temple was identified as Egyptian blue (cuprorivaite), red ochre (haematite), yellow ochre (goethite) and carbon black (from a vegetable origin). The green pigment was identified as green earth, however, a green tonality was also obtained through a mixture of Egyptian blue and yellow ochre, and in some samples, carbon black was also found. Several amounts of anatase and carbon black were found in the red and yellow ochre samples, respectively. The analysis showed that the preparation layer is almost made of pure gypsum, while the plaster layer based mainly on gypsum with variable amounts of quartz, calcite and clay minerals. The results showed that the painting materials and techniques used in the temple are almost the same of those used in the Egyptian temples with respect to the stratigraphy of paint layers, chromatic palette and the painting technique employed.
Pigments are among the most distinctive elements of archaeological and cultural heritage materials. For decades, the characterization of ancient pigments was an important target for many researchers. The characterization is usually performed using invasive and noninvasive techniques. Many techniques are used for this purpose, for example optical microscopy, the environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), micro‐X‐ray fluorescence (μ‐XRF), visible reflectance spectroscopy (VRS), micro‐Raman and FT‐IR/ATR spectroscopies. These techniques allow the examination of stratigraphy, morphology, and chemical and molecular composition of the paint layers. The data obtained from the analytical methods help in drawing an image of ancient materials and technologies.
The main art form in the Coptic monasteries and churches in Egypt was wall paintings and iconography. In this study, analytical data were gathered on green pigment samples collected from Coptic wall paintings from the monastery of St. Anthony, The Eastern Desert, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt. The samples were analyzed by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray analysis system (EDX), Imaging with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR imaging) and visible reflectance spectroscopy. The results showed that green earth pigment (terre verte) and mainly the glauconite, was used to produce the green color. In conclusion, some useful information may be obtained from the present study concerning green earth pigments used in Coptic wall paintings.
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