Preliminary investigations by Raman microscopy of prehistoric pigments in the wall‐painted cave at Roucadour, Quercy, France

• DOI: 10.1002/jrs.1611
• Publication Date: 2006-09-20T12:57:02Z
• Authors: Francesca Ospitali; David C. Smith; Michel Lorblanchet
• Keywords: [SDU.STU.TE]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Tectonics; [SDU.STU.TE] Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Tectonics; 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

Abstract Raman microscopy (RM) was applied to an ongoing study of prehistoric pigments employed in Palaeolithic wall paintings the Roucadour Cave (France). Micro‐samplings were carried out on parts red or black painted figures representing animals and also negative human hands. These first analyses showed that all micro‐samples, main pigment is haematite. Where tone dark red, well‐formed crystals haematite identified, but magnetite, Mn oxide carbon grains found. An intermediate mineral phase structurally in‐between goethite identified. In samples, yellowish hydrated species detected. A great quantity white, greyish‐white yellowish‐white present pigment, many them identified as calcite quartz. The constituted oxyhydroxide some micro‐samples. Suggestions are made for identification (bixbyite, hollandite, nsutite) there still much uncertainty this topic. others, amorphous utilised pigment. This distinction important orienting research towards a subsequent investigation by radiocarbon dating. Traces anatase found pigments, traces rutile gypsum pigments. It interesting occurs because content C oxyhydroxide, several contain minor carbon, such each mixture with at least five different most data compatible possibility artists used naturally‐occurring impure geological materials (e.g. (Fe,Mn)‐ochre rocks) natural biological wood oil make charcoal soot), it cannot exclude fact they may have treated raw and/or manufactured mixtures purer materials. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.