Elucidation of the Chemical Role of the Pyroclastic Materials on the State of Conservation of Mural Paintings from Pompeii

Abstract

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When Red Turns Black: Influence of the 79 AD Volcanic Eruption and Burial Environment on the Blackening/Darkening of Pompeian Cinnabar

“…This is also guaranteed due to the previously assessed influence of groundwater in this archeological site. 4 , 25 …”

“…This is also guaranteed due to the previously assessed influence of groundwater in this archeological site. 4,25 Whereas certain authors concluded that this phenomenon takes place under abiotic conditions, others held that microorganisms control Mn precipitation 35 (biomineralization of Mn).…”

“…2,3 A recent study has shown that another reason for the degradation of the mural paintings of Pompeii is the crystallization of salts coming from the pyroclastic materials ejected in the 79 AD eruption. 4 In addition, since the first archeological excavations in the 18th century, the archeological park has suffered a continuous decay, due to its exposure to the modern atmosphere and the (former) application of restoration products that are no longer used. 5 The study of ancient sources 6,7 and archeological records demonstrates that red cinnabar (α-HgS) has been used as a pigment since antiquity.…”

“…Although this was an unfortunate natural and societal event, it resulted in a remarkably good conservation of its remains, thanks to the burial of the city under the pyroclastic flow. However, some of the pigments applied on the walls of Pompeii experienced transformations due to the eruption, such as the blackening process of hematite (α-Fe 2 O 3 ) and the dehydration of yellow ocher (goethite, α-FeOOH) into hematite. , A recent study has shown that another reason for the degradation of the mural paintings of Pompeii is the crystallization of salts coming from the pyroclastic materials ejected in the 79 AD eruption . In addition, since the first archeological excavations in the 18th century, the archeological park has suffered a continuous decay, due to its exposure to the modern atmosphere and the (former) application of restoration products that are no longer used…”

Ecological and Biotechnological Aspects of Pigmented Microbes: A Way Forward in Development of Food and Pharmaceutical Grade Pigments

“…In contrast, fossil pigments are indeed biologically originated but preserved in fossils for millions of years, acting as evolutionary evidence [ 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. In rare cases, fossil pigments can be of synthetic origin [ 54 ]. Mineral pigments are inorganic insoluble pigments used in artistic, cosmetic, archeological, and evolutionary studies [ 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ].…”