Micro Raman spectroscopy (MRS) and energy dispersive x‐ray microfluorescence (μEDXRF) analysis of pigments in the Iberian cemetery of Tutugi (from the fourth to the third century bc, Galera, Granada, Spain)

Abstract

Micro Raman spectroscopy (MRS) and energy dispersive x-ray microfluorescence (mEDXRF) analysis of pigments in the Iberian cemetery of Tutugi (from the fourth to the third century BC, Recent archaeological research on the Iberian cemetery of Tutugi (from fourth to third century BC), in the administrative term of Galera (Granada, Spain), has granted access to a range of materials revealing major features of Iberian culture. The only information available on pigments in the Iberian culture refers to domestic ceramic and the inside covering of burials. This paper expands on the previous discussion by incorporating pigment studies of the decoration of highly symbolic ceramic vessels, a funerary urn and a glass paste vessel of three burials of the cemetery of Tutugi.Regarding the method, the pigment study relied on the mineralogical and elemental analysis using non-destructive spectroscopic techniques such as micro Raman spectroscopy (MRS) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Microfluorescence (mEDXRF). These studies are used more and more frequently for research on archaeological items for their advantages over other techniques.The results obtained indicate the use of hematite, cinnabar and gypsum in the decoration of ceramic vessels. The pigments used for the urn were made with hematite, gypsum and amorphous carbon. Naples yellow and Egyptian blue were used as pigments in the fragment of glass paste vessel.Overall, joint use of MRS and mEDXRF provides highly valuable data on the processes used for pigment-making, on the use of certain minerals that are highly symbolic among Iberians, such as cinnabar, and provides new evidence for the preservation of archaeological items retrieved from the burial site.Sample 11023 belongs to a well-known Iberian pattern: a bowl with red decoration both on the inside and the outside. The MRS and mEDXRF analysis of pigments

Recent advances in linear and nonlinear Raman spectroscopy. Part VII

“…Sanchez et al . used MRS and energy dispersive X‐ray microfluorescence to analyze pigments in the Iberian cemetery of Tutugi, from the 4th to the 3rd century bc , Galera, Granada, Spain . Tomasini and co‐workers studied carbon‐based black pigments using MRS and found that Raman is an ideal technique for the characterization of carbonaceous matter .…”

Raman spectroscopy of minerals and mineral pigments in archaeometry

“…The contribution of Raman spectroscopy in 2012/2013 to the pigment identification and on conservation issues has been equally significant: pigments and plasters from the Roman settlement of Thamusida in Rabat, Morocco (Gliozzo et al); the tomb of Djehutyemhab (TT194), Elqurna necropolis, Upper Egypt (Mahmoud); pigments from five Medieval Gotland churches in Sweden (Nord and Tronner); the painted vaulted ceiling of the Sant Joan Del Mercat Church, Valencia, Spain (Doménech‐Carbó et al); 16th century wall paintings in the Saint Andrew Church, Biañez, Biscay, and Saint John the Baptist Church, Axpe, Biscay (Irazola et al); Sala delle Maschere of the Domus Aurea in Rome (Paradisi et al); pigments from the 4th to the 3rd century bc in the Iberian cemetery of Tutugi, Galera, Granada, Spain (Sánchez et al); Roman plasters applied over Pharaonic walls at Luxor temple, Upper Egypt (Mahmoud et al); chromatic alterations of Roman Heritage in Aosta (Conz et al) ; Roman mural paintings (Toschi et al); the fresco ‘The Good and the Bad Judge’ located at the medieval village of Monsaraz in southern Portugal (Gil et al); and multipigmented surface from the wall decorations of the Theban tomb (TT277), Luxor, Egypt (Mahmoud).…”

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy on Iberian archaeological materials

“…Technically, the use of cinnabar means decoration after firing, because cinnabar starts to change above 250 °C, it becomes black HgS between 335 and 386 °C and sublimates at 584 °C . Unlike other cases where cinnabar is applied on a layer of gypsum, red decoration in the vessel under study was applied directly on the ceramic surface.…”

“…This paper brings together previous analyses and accounts for the latest progress made by use of MRS in research on a variety of coverings and on decorated ceramics, especially on black decoration, whether alone or with grey and/or red decoration. Coverings and ceramics consist of the highest percentage of Iberian materials researched to this day.…”

“…The IAI's line of research aims at casting light on poorly known manifestations of Iberian culture: the raw materials that they used, their work processes and their decorations and pigments. Research is not limited to ceramics and includes other archaeological materials like decorated and undecorated coverings, glass paste and other stone items like sculptures and funerary urns . The analysis of these materials is intended to cover a timeframe spanning from the 7th century BC as the founding stage of the Iberian culture to its decline in the 1st century BC.…”