0000000000768674
AUTHOR
Jorgelina Carballo
Identification of local and allochthonous flint artefacts from the Middle Palaeolithical site ‘Abrigo de la Quebrada’ (Chelva, Valencia, Spain) by macroscopic and physicochemical methods
This work summarizes the characterization of flint artefacts from the Middle Palaeolithic site ‘Abrigo de la Quebrada’ (Chelva, Valencia, Spain) and flint geological samples collected in the Chelva area. Additionally, some flint artefacts located outside this geographical zone were also analysed and compared with the samples from the Abrigo de la Quebrada site. Flint samples have been studied using methods of macroscopic description and physicochemical analysis [energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD)]. Multivariate statistical analysis of the EDXRF data and the determination of the crystalline index of quartz, obtained from the XRD patterns, ar…
Archaeometric study of ceramic figurines from the Maya settlement of La Blanca (Petén, Guatemala)
Abstract In this article, analytical results will be presented and discussed regarding a selected set of figurines from the ancient Maya settlement of La Blanca in Peten, Guatemala. The objective is to characterize the ceramic material by two analytical complementary techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD) and total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF). The data obtained by means of both XRD and TXRF were compared and analyzed by multivariate statistical techniques in order to obtain sample groups according to their chemical composition. The results of this archaeometric study have been compared to those that have been obtained through macroscopic characterization by means of the traditional cl…
Identification of local and allochthonous flint artefacts from the Middle Paleolithic site Abrigo de la Quebrada (Chelva, Valencia, Spain) by macroscopic and physicochemical methods
Flint is a lithic material that can be worked to obtain sharp blades with conchoidal fractures characteristic of lithic tools as scrapers, hand axes and arrowheads. These artefacts represent the majority of the lithic material from the Palaeolithic sites worldwide, and it continued to be used during subsequent periods to manufacture some of the earliest tools used by man. One of the questions that archaeologists are keen to answer in relation to flint use and characterization is sourcing. Answering this question is important to reconstruct interaction networks of prehistoric cultures. Over the past years, a great variety of analytical methods have been applied to identify the sources of fli…
Characterization of Sorolla's gouache pigments by means of spectroscopic techniques
Abstract This paper presents the characterization of the Joaquin Sorolla's gouache sketches for the oil on canvas series “Vision of Spain” commissioned by A. M. Huntington to decorate the library of the Hispanic Society of America in New York. The analyses were focused on the identification of the elemental composition of the gouache pigments by means of portable EDXRF spectrometry in a non-destructive mode. Additionally, SEM-EDX and FTIR analyses of a selected set of micro-samples were carried out to identify completely the pigments, the paint technique and the binding media. The obtained results have confirmed the identification of lead and zinc white, vermillion, earth pigments, ochre, z…
Study of inks on paper engravings using portable EDXRF spectrometry
Abstract The prints are fragile and delicate art objects that need for its examination a suitable technique for “in situ”, non-destructive and rapid analyses. The energy dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry with portable instrumentation offers these analytical properties. In this work we present the EDXRF analyses of eight engravings elaborated with different techniques (etching and heliogravure) from the 17th to 20th centuries. The characterization of the paper is directly done from its EDXRF spectra, whereas the inks are characterized by the ink plus paper analysis after subtracting the background from the paper spectrum. Inorganic components of the paper engravings and inks…
EDXRF analysis of the Pentecost Triptych from the “São Pedro de Miragaia” church (Porto, Portugal)
Abstract EDXRF spectrometry was used to determine the pigment composition of the Pentecost Triptych, a Flemish masterpiece located at the Church of Sao Pedro de Miragaia (Porto, Portugal). The triptych was restored at the beginning of the 20th century and presents a great number of zones with repaints and colour alterations that can be observed on the whole of their surface. The identification of the original pigments and restoration pigments was based on their characteristic colour and the correlation between the detected elements and the named “key elements” of ancient pigments (Ca, Fe, Cu, Hg, Pb,…) and modern pigments (Ti, Ba, Cr, Zn, Co, Cd,…). The analysis of the triptych has been car…