Analytical studies of the Alexandrovo Thracian tomb wall paintings

Glavcheva, Zornitza; Yancheva, Denitsa; Velcheva, Evelina A.; Stamboliyska, Bistra A.; Petrova, Nadia; Petkova, V.; Lalev, G.; Todorov, Valentin

doi:10.1016/j.saa.2015.01.103

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Although destructive in general, the thermal analysis requires only a few milligrams of sample and offers great sensitivity in terms of temperature and weight changes. Recently, it was successfully applied for the identification of organic additives in the mural decoration of Thracian monuments [17,18]. Because of the possibility of the method, in the current study, we have used the technique for the characterization of the thermal properties of the studied plasters and to support the identification of the pigments and the possible presence of an organic binder.…”

Section: Analytical Techniques Applied In the Study And Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While the tomb at the village of Alexandrovo is well studied from the historical and artistic point of view [5,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15], analytical research on the painting materials that were used is limited to date. Some reports concerning the technological characteristics of monochrome decorative wall plasters are available in the literature [16][17][18]. Detailed knowledge of material composition is essential for art historical or archaeological research and for determining proper conservation and restoration procedures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multi-Analytical Analysis of Decorative Color Plasters from the Thracian Tomb near Alexandrovo, Bulgaria

Avdeev,

Kukeva,

Yancheva

et al. 2024

Minerals

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In the present contribution, we report the results from a study on the ancient technology used to create decorative color plasters in the Thracian tomb near the village of Alexandrovo, Bulgaria. A series of fragments of red, black, grey, white and brown colored lime plasters from the dromos and funeral chamber were investigated by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, infrared spectroscopy, paramagnetic electron resonance spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Based on the combined analytical data, it was possible to identify the pigments, fillers and other materials in the composition of the decorative plasters in the interior, as well as to clarify the technological features related to the plaster creation. The results demonstrated that the murals were implemented on two layers in the case of white, black, grey and brown decoration—first coarse mortar, followed by a white, fine mortar, which usually was made of calcite. In the case of red decoration, a pigment was added to the fine mortar to achieve a colored surface. The pigments were identified as mostly traditional mineral pigments—calcite, kaolinite, red natural ochres (colored earth), brown colored earth and black pigment (amorphous C). The use of the fresco technique is implied by the major participation of calcite and the absence of organic binder in all of the painting layers.

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Section: Analytical Techniques Applied In the Study And Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-Analytical Analysis of Decorative Color Plasters from the Thracian Tomb near Alexandrovo, Bulgaria

Avdeev,

Kukeva,

Yancheva

et al. 2024

Minerals

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“…It melts easily (at approximately 64°C) and this melting point remains fairly constant with ageing. Its heating properties can be evaluated objectively using DSC, which allows melting point determination and thermal characterisation and is considered the qualitatively and quantitatively available method for wax identification (Ruguo et al, 2011;Buchwald, 2008;Glavcheva, 2016;Knuutinen & Norrman, 2000;Burmester, 1992).…”

Section: Glossy Plasters -Presence Of Beeswax Within the Paint Layermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(Table 3) The contrast with the sharp melting/endothermic peak of the pure referent is an indication that there are other inorganic components in addition to the beeswax -mainly mineral pigments responsible for the coloration (ochres and calcite). It could be argued that a small quantity of beeswax within the paint layer affects the thermal curve of the other components (Glavcheva et al, 2016;Knuutinen & Norrman, 2000).…”

Section: Glossy Plasters -Presence Of Beeswax Within the Paint Layermentioning

confidence: 99%

Polished Decorative Fields in Thracian Fresco Tombs from the Hellenistic period - Archaeometrical Research

Guirdzhiiska

Zlateva

Glavcheva

2017

STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research

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In order to gather information on the technological characteristics of the monochrome decorative wall plasters in some Thracian fresco tombs (4 th -3 rd centuries BC) found in South Bulgaria, several types of analyses have been carried out.Samples of red, yellow and white large wall-painted fields in different monuments, have been investigated using a combination of Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to identify the organic components of the paint layer. The nature of the pigments has been determined both by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ATR-FTIR.The obtained results point towards the recognition of final polishing processes performed on still wet plaster. This technique of creating polished wall painted surfaces in combination with organic coatings (known as stucco lustro) is traditionally associated with the Pompean frescoes and the work of roman painters. Based on the technical examination, it can be assumed that in pre-roman time, the Hellenistic paint-craftsmen in Thrace inland were also familiar to this technique.

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Multi-analytical approach to the mural painting from an ancient tomb of Ming Dynasty in Jiyuan, China: Characterization of materials and techniques

Liu

Yang²,

Wang

et al. 2022

Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectros

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Analytical studies of the Alexandrovo Thracian tomb wall paintings

Cited by 5 publications

References 28 publications

Multi-Analytical Analysis of Decorative Color Plasters from the Thracian Tomb near Alexandrovo, Bulgaria

Multi-Analytical Analysis of Decorative Color Plasters from the Thracian Tomb near Alexandrovo, Bulgaria

Polished Decorative Fields in Thracian Fresco Tombs from the Hellenistic period - Archaeometrical Research

Multi-analytical approach to the mural painting from an ancient tomb of Ming Dynasty in Jiyuan, China: Characterization of materials and techniques

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