The Maya sites Balamkú, Calakmul, Becán, Chicanná, Xpuhil, Hormiguero, Muñeca, and Chactún are located in the south area of the Mexican State of Campeche, immerse in a tropical subhumid climate. Surrounded by jungle vegetation, these archeological sites preserve some of the best examples of sculptural elements from the pre-Classic (1800 b. C. -250 a. C.) to the terminal Classic (1000 d. C.) periods. These sites display how the Maya used sculptures as architectural elements in order to emphasize their cosmogony and political beliefs. The main purpose of this research is to comprehend the technology of paint layer materials and to register the chromatic palettes by using surface and microscopic analytical techniques such as optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer system (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) in order to analyze and interpret the pictorial technique used for the architectural sculpture decoration.
ARTICLE HISTORY
The altarpiece dedicated to San Antonio de Padua was made of wood assembled and selfsupporting structure attached to the wall. It is a straight plant altarpiece designed to withstand sculptures. This master piece belongs to the a set of Baroque altarpieces preserved in the state of Campeche and is located in San Roque Church in the City of San Francisco de Campeche, Mexico. This altarpiece was decorated following the traditional technique of the seventeenth century in Mexico, a technique derived from Spain. According to literature sources we know that the strata are the wood, the imprimatura, the pictorial strata and metal sheets that make the golden color and corladuras. The characterization of the constituent materials was of great importance for the interpretation of the constructions system and manufacture of the decoration. The present study shows the results of analysis techniques such as optical microscopy, Particle Induce X Ray Emission (PIXE), and X Ray Florescence Spectroscopy (XRF) and interpretation of the different layers constituting the altarpiece of San Antonio.
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