Mineral Pigments in the Historical and Archaeological Context: from Invasive to Non-invasive Analyses

Dear Colleagues,

The use of mineral pigments, present in nature inside rocks and soils, dates back to ancient times, starting from the Palaeolithic cave paintings, until today, with the introduction of mineral pigments of synthesis.

Their use has always been widespread in the field of cultural heritage for the decoration of several objects and artefacts with historical, archaeological and artistic value, such as frescoes, mural paintings, and paintings on canvas, wood, paper (e.g., manuscripts), ceramic materials, glass, and many other supports.

The study of mineral pigments can be performed with invasive or non-invasive analyses that can be carried out in situ, with a portable instrumentation, or in a laboratory setting. The most common techniques used for their compositional characterization are optical microscopy (OM), colorimetry, X-ray diffractometry (XRPD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, multispectral and hyperspectral imaging, EPR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), laser ablation with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), but also other several methodologies can be applied.

This Special Issue will publish works concerning the use of mineral pigments in the field of cultural heritage and, in particular, in historical and archaeological contexts. Studies carried out on natural and synthetic pigments will be considered, performed through invasive or non-invasive analyses (mentioned above), applied in situ and/or in a laboratory setting, but also through specifically developed innovative technologies.

The Special Issue will include studies in the archaeometry field that highlight particular aspects of the production technology and/or concern historical and archaeological issues (e.g., provenance of the mineral pigments, supply of raw material, trade routes, etc.) and works finalized to the characterization of the mineral pigments and to the evaluation of their state of conservation, in order to solve restoration problems. Works concerning the conservation field will be also considered, with a focus on the use and the introduction of new consolidants and protective products aimed at preserving the pigmented surfaces.

Prof. Domenico Miriello
Dr. Raffaella De Luca
Dr. Michele Secco
Guest Editors

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