Publication
Reference
Chalmin Emilie, Schmitt Bernard, Chassin de Kergommeaux Aurélie, CHANTERAUD Claire, Soufi Fayçal, Salomon Hélène (2021). How to distinguish red coloring matter used in prehistoric time? The contribution of visible near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Color Res. Appl., on-line, 1 - 21.
Names
  • Emilie Chalmin
  • Bernard Schmitt
  • Aurélie Chassin de Kergommeaux
  • Claire CHANTERAUD
  • Fayçal Soufi
  • Hélène Salomon
Article and keywords
Title
How to distinguish red coloring matter used in prehistoric time? The contribution of visible near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy
Abstract
Although the main prehistoric color used for paintings is red, knowledge of this coloring matter often boils down to saying that it is “ochre.” However, the red coloring matter of Prehistory is numerous and may have been the subject of various preparations, mixtures, or even alterations. Understanding the use and transformation of coloring matter raises questions about the technical processes but also about the supply strategies of these ancient societies. In the case of analysis of solid archaeological remains, we can access the petrography, mineralogy and chemistry of these ferruginous rocks. But, when it is about deposited powder, the means of investigation become limited. We therefore propose to test the complementarity of spectro‐radiometry, a non‐invasive method that allows us to obtain a spectral signature of the material whatever its mode of preparation. From six geological reference samples chosen for their color (from red to yellow) and for their mineralogical composition, spectra in the visible and near‐infrared were recorded under several experimental conditions and several modes of preparation of the matter, using two spectro‐gonio radiometers. It is then possible to discriminate these different coloring matter on the basis of their spectral signature and to understand the link with their mineral composition.
Keywords
reflectance spectroscopy, Visible, near-infrared, pigments, hematite, goethite, kaolinite, quartz, calcite, dolomite, baryte, chlorite, muscovite, coloring matter, prehistoric paint
Content
spectral data, other application
Year
2021
Journal
Color Research and Application
Volume
on-line
Pages
1 - 21
Pages number
21
Document type
article
Publication state
published
Doi
10.1002/col.22647
Identifiers
Experiment/Spectra