Isotopic analysis of lead present in the cinnabar of Roman wall paintings from the Xth Regio "(Venetia et Histria)" by ICP-MS

Enriching the knowledge of Ostia Antica painted fragments: a multi-methodological approach

This paper presents the study of selected painted fragments from different contexts of Ostia Antica city, dating between 2nd century BCE and the end of the 1st century CE. The aim is to identify the raw materials used and to understand the execution techniques through a non-invasive protocol including techniques based either on multiband imaging (Visible-VIS, Ultraviolet induced Luminescence - UVL and Visible Induced Luminescence - VIL) and single spot analyses (Fiber Optic Reflectance Spectroscopy- FORS and portable X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry - XRF). The most representative and interesting fragments were sampled for further studies with laboratory techniques such as optical microscopy (OM) and electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared and micro-Raman Spectroscopies (FT-IR and μRaman). The extensive use of non-invasive techniques, even working on fragments, is proved to be the most robust and effective approach enabling the analysis of a high number of areas, dramatically increasing the statistical meaning of the collected data. The elaboration of such a huge number of data allows highlighting differences and similarities, thus achieving a more realistic overview of the materials composition and addressing the sampling to the more significant and complex areas.

New insights and rethinking of cinnabar for chemical and its pharmacological dynamics

Cinnabar is an attractive mineral with many different uses. It is reported that cinnabar is one of the traditional Chinese’s medicines extensively use. The main objective of this critical review is to identify the current overview, concept and chemistry of cinnabar, which includes the process developments, challenges, and diverse options for pharmacology research. It is used as a medicine through probable toxicity, especially when taking overdoes. This review is the first to describe the toxicological effects of cinnabar and its associated compounds. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) dependent metabolomics could be useful for examination of the pharmaceutical consequence. The analysis indicated that the accurate preparation methods, appropriate doses, disease status, ages with drug combinations are significant factors for impacting the cinnabar toxicity. Toxicologically, synthetic mercury sulfide or cinnabar should be notable for mercuric chloride, mercury vapor and methyl mercury for future protection and need several prominent advancements in cinnabar research.

Spectroscopic and Chemometric Comparison of Local River Sands with the Aggregate Component in Mortars from Ancient Roman Buildings Located in the X Regio Between the Livenza and Tagliamento Rivers, Northeast Italy

A combined spectroscopic-chemometric approach is used to investigate the possible sources of material exploited by the Romans to build four domus and a public thermae complex (I century BC-II century AD) located in the X Regio portion between the rivers Livenza and Tagliamento in northeast Italy. The rounded grain shapes observed in the aggregates recovered from the mortar fragments suggest that the rivers flowing close to the archaeological sites are the most likely sources of material. Coarse-grained sediment samples from nine rivers and streams in this area are examined and their similarities to the aggregate samples evaluated. The diffuse reflection Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of the sand samples in the 63-420 µm fraction, consisting mainly of carbonates and silicates, are studied and compared in suitable spectral ranges through principal components analysis. As an additional step, the relationship between the most significant scores plots and the composition of the samples is investigated using appropriate descriptive indexes obtained from the spectra. The analysis performed on the river sand spectra alone shows that the samples from the easternmost Lemene and Tagliamento rivers present a behavior distinct from that of the western rivers (Cosa, Livenza, Meduna, Meschio, and Noncello), in agreement with their present location and past history. All the aggregate spectra investigated are compatible with the spectral characteristics of the samples from the Tagliamento and Lemene rivers, except for those from the Torre di Pordenone site, which are more similar to the sand spectra of the western rivers.

Analytical investigation of Mudéjar polychrome on the carpentry in the Casa de Pilatos palace in Seville using non-destructive XRF and complementary techniques

The pigments, execution technique and repainting used on the polychrome wood ceilings and doors in the Casa de Pilatos (Seville, Spain) were studied using portable X-ray fluorescence equipment. Cross-sections of small samples were also analysed by optical microscopy, SEM with EDX analysis, micro-Raman and micro-infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. These carpentry works are magnificent examples of the Mudéjar art made in Spain in the early 16th century. Portable X-ray fluorescence gave good information on the different components of the polychrome. The SEM-EDX study of the surfaces of small samples gave information on their components and also characterized the compounds that had been deposited or formed by environmental contamination or by the alteration of some pigments. The SEM-EDX study of cross-sections facilitated the characterization of all layers and pigments from the support to the most external layer. The following pigments were characterized: red (cinnabar/vermillion, lead oxide, iron oxides and orpiment/realgar), black (carbon black), white (white lead and titanium barium white), yellow-orange-red-brown (orpiment/realgar and iron oxides), green (chromium oxide), blue (indigo blue and ultramarine blue), and gilding (gold leaf on bole). False gold, bronze and brass were also found. The pigments were applied with the oil painting technique over a support layer that had been primed with animal glue. This support layer was gypsum in some cases and white lead in others. This study is essential to the polychrome conservation of the studied artwork, and it will help clarify uncertainties in the history and painting of Mudéjar art.

Sulfur isotope analysis of cinnabar from Roman wall paintings by elemental analysis/isotope ratio mass spectrometry--tracking the origin of archaeological red pigments and their authenticity

The most valuable pigment of the Roman wall paintings was the red color obtained from powdered cinnabar (Minium Cinnabaris pigment), the red mercury sulfide (HgS), which was brought from mercury (Hg) deposits in the Roman Empire. To address the question of whether sulfur isotope signatures can serve as a rapid method to establish the provenance of the red pigment in Roman frescoes, we have measured the sulfur isotope composition (δ(34)S value in ‰ VCDT) in samples of wall painting from the Roman city Aventicum (Avenches, Vaud, Switzerland) and compared them with values from cinnabar from European mercury deposits (Almadén in Spain, Idria in Slovenia, Monte Amiata in Italy, Moschellandsberg in Germany, and Genepy in France). Our study shows that the δ(34)S values of cinnabar from the studied Roman wall paintings fall within or near to the composition of Almadén cinnabar; thus, the provenance of the raw material may be deduced. This approach may provide information on provenance and authenticity in archaeological, restoration and forensic studies of Roman and Greek frescoes.